Talarico Campaigns Separately From Sanders in Tight Texas Senate Race
The Democratic candidate held his own rallies hundreds of miles away as early voting began in the contest against Ken Paxton.
Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico held campaign events in North Texas on Monday, simultaneously with a rally headlined by Sen. Bernie Sanders in El Paso. The move comes as Talarico's closely watched race against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton enters its final weeks.
Sanders appeared at the Abraham Chavez Theatre with former Rep. Beto O'Rourke and Democratic Reps. Greg Casar and Veronica Escobar. The El Paso event coincided with the start of early voting for the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Talarico, meanwhile, held a rally at North Crowley High School in Fort Worth as part of his "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts" campaign tour, following an earlier stop in Denton.
Talarico's campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the decision to hold separate events. During the El Paso rally, O'Rourke told supporters that Republicans had spent $368 million against Talarico, calling it a sign of their desperation. Casar also voiced support for Talarico, stating that his election would advance Democratic legislative priorities.
Sanders, without naming Talarico, focused his remarks on the influence of wealthy donors and their spending in American elections. "What you are seeing in this campaign, what you are seeing right here in Texas, all over America, is multibillionaires are pouring hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars," Sanders said, urging early voting.
At his rally in Fort Worth, Talarico echoed similar themes, criticizing Paxton and billionaire Elon Musk for their influence in the Texas Senate race. "We have an affordability crisis because we have a corruption crisis," Talarico told his supporters. He also framed the election as being larger than party affiliation, stating, "This election shouldn't be about the Democratic Party or the Republican Party. It's bigger than that."
Talarico and Paxton are competing for the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. John Cornyn. The race has garnered national attention, with Democrats aiming for their first Texas U.S. Senate victory since 1988.