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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Ken Paxton and James Talarico are neck and neck in U.S. Senate race, new poll finds

A new poll puts Paxton one point ahead of James Talarico, within the survey’s margin of error.

Ken Paxton and James Talarico are neck and neck in U.S. Senate race, new poll finds
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Host credibilityTexas Public Radio79/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 5, 2026

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Republished from Texas Tribune, with credit to the original publisher.

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57 stories · 78–81 · updated Oct 7, 2026

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Texas Public Radiovia Texas Tribune
Jun 23, 2026
tl;dr

A University of Texas at Austin poll found Ken Paxton leading James Talarico 43% to 42% among Texas voters, within the margin of error. Paxton’s support improved from April, while Talarico’s remained unchanged.

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

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Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican U.S. Senate candidate whose standing is measured in the poll

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate whose standing is measured in the poll

Talarico's version of this story ↗

U.S. representative mentioned in connection with Black voters’ support in the primary

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President, mentioned in connection with Republican turnout

Democratic state senator and comptroller candidate

John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

U.S. senator and former Republican primary opponent of Paxton

ALSO MENTIONED  Dan Patrick, Texas lieutenant governor and Republican candidate; Don Huffines, Former Republican state senator and comptroller candidate; Gina Hinojosa, Democratic state representative and gubernatorial candidate; Greg Abbott, Texas governor and Republican gubernatorial candidate; Mayes Middleton, Republican state senator and attorney general candidate; Nathan Johnson, Democratic state senator and attorney general candidate; Vikki Goodwin, Democratic state representative and lieutenant governor candidate

Part of a bigger story

4 OUTLETS
University of Texas Poll Shows Paxton Leading Talarico

A poll has Ken Paxton narrowly ahead of James Talarico in the Texas Senate race. Center outlets describe the race as close, with Paxton’s lead within the poll’s margin of error and some coverage noting his gains since April. Right-leaning outlets present the result as good news for Republicans and pair it with criticism of Talarico’s positions and conduct.

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