Texas

Called for D (flip)R -3.0closes 9:00 pm ET

Called · 65% in · Talarico +21

Who's running

James TalaricoD59.7% · 65% in

James Talarico grew up in Round Rock, Texas. He taught sixth-grade English at a San Antonio middle school for two years. He won a seat in the Texas House in 2018 at age 29 and is now in his fourth term. He also studied at a seminary in Austin to become a pastor.

What they say they'll do

He says Paxton is corrupt and wants to clean up government.
He says high costs come from corruption and wants to make life more affordable.
He wants lower health costs, like his law that capped insulin at $25 a month.

Ken PaxtonR38.7% · 65% in

Ken Paxton is a lawyer. He served in the Texas House for ten years and the Texas Senate for two years. He has been Texas attorney general since 2015, almost 12 years. He beat Senator John Cornyn in a May 2026 runoff with President Trump's support.

What they say they'll do

He wants to back President Trump's agenda in the Senate.
He wants a secure border and more deportations.
He wants tax cuts and to end what he calls the weaponization of government.

The tea ☕

The Texas House impeached Paxton in May 2023 by a vote of 121 to 23. The charges said he used his office to help a rich donor. The Texas Senate acquitted him on all 20 counts in September 2023.
Paxton was charged with securities fraud in 2015. In March 2024 he made a deal to do community service, take ethics classes, and pay about $300,000 back to investors. The charges were dropped and he did not plead guilty.
In 2020, eight of Paxton's top aides reported him to the FBI. He fired them. In April 2025 a judge ruled the firings broke the law and awarded four of them $6.6 million. Paxton said he would appeal.
Paxton's wife, State Senator Angela Paxton, filed for divorce in July 2025 'on biblical grounds' after 38 years of marriage.
In 2012, a lawyer said Paxton took his $1,000 pen at a courthouse. Video showed Paxton picking it up. He gave it back after police got involved and no charges were filed. That lawyer is now in a Talarico ad. Paxton calls it a mix-up.
In 2021, Talarico said on the House floor that there are six biological sexes and that God is 'both masculine and feminine.' Paxton ran an AI ad calling him 'King James' over it. Talarico says he still holds his beliefs but would word them differently now.
The two never debated. Talarico accepted four debate invites. Paxton refused a CNN debate. Trump told them to debate on October 7. None was held.
Talarico got the flu in late September and was off the trail for about two weeks. Paxton's team put up 'MISSING' posters of him and ran a daily 'Where's Jimmy?' count.
In 2025, Talarico and other Democrats left Texas to block a new voting map. Paxton sued to remove 13 of them from office. The Texas Supreme Court threw out the case in May 2026.

Sources

Texas House seats: 2 D, 0 R, 36 pending