Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico closed out his campaign with a final rally in Austin, comparing his opponent, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, to an "obnoxious" bar patron. The event, held at Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater, drew a crowd of Democrats hoping to see their party secure a statewide victory in Texas for the first time in 32 years.
Talarico, a state representative, used the analogy to criticize Paxton, who has faced multiple corruption scandals and was impeached by his own party. "Every bar also has that one guy," Talarico told the cheering crowd. "He's loud. He's obnoxious. He makes everyone feel uncomfortable. He hears you say your name to the bartender, and then he adds his drink to your tab when you're not looking." He concluded, "That's Ken Paxton, and I don't know about y'all, but I am done picking up his tab!"
Recent polls indicated Paxton trailing Talarico by seven points. Democrats need to gain four seats in the upcoming midterm elections to control the Texas Senate. Talarico also referred to Paxton as "the most corrupt politician in Texas history," and noted that billionaire Elon Musk has reportedly contributed at least $168 million to aid Paxton's campaign.
During his speech, Talarico emphasized his commitment to representing all Texans, particularly those who feel unheard or unrepresented. He invoked a sense of Texas pride, referencing the state's "big hair, big hearts and big dreams," and its iconic athletes and musicians.
Supporters at the rally expressed a mix of hope and nervousness. "I am very hopeful, but I am not overconfident, though; this is going to be a really tough race," said David Marchman, a retiree from Austin. He felt Talarico had more energy behind him than Beto O'Rourke did in his 2018 challenge against Senator Ted Cruz. "In this election, Talarico has been consistently ahead," argued Ben Webb, a college student working for a state legislator. "I think he's going to pull it off."
