James Talarico and Ken Paxton clash in high‑stakes Texas Senate race

Democratic nominee James Talarico and Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton are locked in a tightly contested U.S. Senate race in Texas, a contest that could produce the first Democratic statewide victory in three decades. The campaign has intensified as Talarico has attacked Paxton over a controversial plea deal in a child‑sex‑abuse case, demanding the release of internal communications and stating, “No one, not even the attorney general of Texas, should be able to cover up crimes against children.” Paxton’s office dismissed the criticism as politically motivated.

Within the Democratic ranks, former primary rival Rep. Jasmine Crockett said black voters have not united behind Talarino and announced she will skip the Texas Democratic Party convention in Corpus Christi, noting, “I’ve not heard a bunch of kumbaya.” She said she will focus on down‑ballot races nationally. Meanwhile, Paxton has broken with the Texas GOP on the issue of in‑vitro fertilization, declaring, “I am a strong supporter of IVF and pro‑family policies,” a stance that aligns him with Talarico on that issue but puts him at odds with the state party platform.

Both candidates are courting moderate voters, with Talarico emphasizing child‑protection and Paxton emphasizing border security, energy independence, and a centrist IVF position. The race is being watched nationally as a bellwether for partisan shifts in a traditionally red state.