Trump Returns to Texas to Aid Embattled GOP Senate Nominee
Former president campaigning in Corpus Christi and Lubbock as Republican Ken Paxton faces a deadlocked race against Democrat James Talarico.
President Donald Trump is making a late campaign push in Texas, visiting Corpus Christi and Lubbock to support Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton. The visit comes just a week before Election Day, with early voting already underway.
This engagement occurs as the race for retiring Sen. John Cornyn's seat has become unexpectedly competitive in the reliably red state, which Trump carried by nearly 14 percentage points in 2020. A recent Fox News poll indicates a deadlock between Paxton, the state's attorney general, and Democratic challenger James Talarico, a state representative, with both candidates at 49% among likely voters.
This marks Trump's fourth trip to Texas since Labor Day. His previous visits included stops in Dallas, Denton, and San Antonio. The upcoming rallies aim to energize Republican voters in a contest that could influence the GOP's slim Senate majority and potentially end a more than 30-year statewide Democratic losing streak in Texas.
Paxton, who defeated Cornyn in a contentious Republican primary, faces Talarico, a former public school teacher and state lawmaker. The candidates are presenting contrasting closing arguments to voters. Paxton has focused on portraying Talarico as too liberal for Texas, while Talarico has highlighted voter dissatisfaction with the economy under the Trump administration.
Paxton has also navigated significant personal and legal challenges, including impeachment by the Texas House in 2023, though he was later acquitted by the state Senate. He is also currently involved in a contentious divorce.
Beyond the Senate race, Texas is also a focal point for House control, with Republicans having redrawn congressional districts to create more GOP opportunities. The election will also test whether Trump's gains among Hispanic voters in 2020 will translate to the midterms, as the Fox News poll shows Talarico leading among Hispanic likely voters.
Economic concerns appear to be a significant factor for voters, with more than twice as many reporting they are financially worse off than two years ago compared to those who feel they are better off. This sentiment leans towards Talarico, while voters who feel their financial situation has improved or remained the same favor Paxton.
The concurrent campaign events in Lubbock, with Trump rallying for Paxton and Talarico holding an event at Texas Tech, underscore the intense focus on this Senate battleground.