Talarico Rallies as Texas Senate Race Against Paxton Enters Final Weeks
Democrat James Talarico campaigns as a contender in a state that has not elected a statewide Democrat in over 30 years.
James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, is rallying with supporters as his underdog bid to become the first Democrat to win statewide in over 30 years heads into its final weeks.
Talarico's campaign has evolved from a hopeful but ultimately unsuccessful bid to flip Texas to a position where he is seen as a real contender against Republican Ken Paxton. This shift is partly attributed to voter apprehension surrounding Paxton, who has faced accusations of corruption, including an impeachment by the Texas legislature, from which he was later acquitted.
Financially, Talarico has significantly outpaced Paxton, raising $64 million in the third quarter, a sum his campaign described as a record for a Senate candidate. The outcome of this race is significant, as it could determine which party controls the Senate during the final two years of President Donald Trump's term.
Earlier this month, Talarico was briefly out of the public eye due to the flu, which led to online speculation, including a false claim that he was in mental health treatment. This claim, shared by conservative influencers, was quickly debunked.
Talarico, who is also a state representative and seminarian, has adopted a careful campaign strategy. He has sought to connect with voters across diverse regions of Texas, from urban Democratic strongholds to border towns and rural Republican areas. He has also distanced himself from the Biden administration and his own party, and while progressive Senator Bernie Sanders is scheduled to visit Texas, he will not share a stage with Talarico.
Talarico's strategy focuses on addressing voters' primary concerns, particularly the rising cost of living. Republicans, including former President Trump, are aware of Talarico's ability to connect with voters and Paxton's challenges in what would typically be a more favorable race for a Republican. Trump has made multiple trips to Texas to support Paxton, and the Senate Leadership Fund, the GOP's super PAC, has invested over $124 million in ads promoting Paxton.