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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Trump wants Talarico and Paxton to debate. Talarico couldn't be happier

Paxton’s opponent and Trump urged him to debate, but the article reports no public response to Trump’s demand.

Trump wants Talarico and Paxton to debate. Talarico couldn't be happier
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Outlet credibilityPBS86/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026

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Oct 9, 2026
tl;dr

Donald Trump urged Ken Paxton and James Talarico to debate in the Texas Senate race, prompting Talarico to publicly agree. No debate has been scheduled, and Paxton has not publicly responded.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Ken Paxton R · TX
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Paxton in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Paxton’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

SWIPE →
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Texas Senate candidate pressed to debate

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Texas Senate candidate urging his opponent to debate

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

President who called for the candidates to debate

ALSO MENTIONED  Madison Cercy, Paxton campaign spokeswoman

Part of a bigger story

17 OUTLETS
Ken Paxton Criticizes James Talarico’s Campaign Absence

The coverage reports that James Talarico missed in-person campaign events while his campaign attributed his absence to the flu, and that Ken Paxton publicly criticized or questioned it. Center outlets often pair coverage of Paxton’s criticism with scrutiny of his own debate stance. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Republican pressure over Talarico’s absence, with some presenting the mockery playfully.

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