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◆ Mixed look for PaxtonElections / Campaigns

Talarico targets Paxton's scandals in Texas Senate race, pivoting from his sunny primary message

Paxton is the target of Talarico’s campaign message and responded with a social-media attack and donation appeal.

Talarico targets Paxton's scandals in Texas Senate race, pivoting from his sunny primary message
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This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
ABC News
May 28, 2026
tl;dr

James Talarico opened his Texas Senate general-election campaign by centering his message on Ken Paxton’s scandals and linking corruption to voters’ cost concerns. Paxton responded with a social-media attack on Talarico and a campaign donation appeal.

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Ken Paxton R · TX
● OPEN

People in this story

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Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate and Talarico’s opponent

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Democratic Senate candidate campaigning against Ken Paxton

Talarico's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Paxton

John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Republican senator defeated by Paxton in the runoff

ALSO MENTIONED  Ann Johnson, Democratic state representative who co-led Paxton’s impeachment

Part of a bigger story

11 OUTLETS
Ken Paxton Releases Ad Targeting James Talarico’s Masculinity

Ken Paxton’s campaign released a general-election ad attacking James Talarico, using masculinity-focused rhetoric. Left-leaning outlets frame the ad as part of a Republican strategy centered on masculinity and examine its cultural implications. Center outlets place the ad amid the wider Senate campaign, including Talarico’s focus on Paxton’s scandals and the candidates’ competing messages. Right-leaning outlets emphasize attacks on Talarico’s past remarks and his perceived fit with Texas voters, with some portraying the ad as effective.

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