James Talarico U.S. Senate — Texas Toss-up First run

TXnominee

U.S. Senate — Texas · First run

James Talarico

A former middle-school teacher and four-term state representative, Talarico won the Democratic nomination over Rep. Jasmine Crockett. He now faces Attorney General Ken Paxton, who ousted Sen. John Cornyn in the May 26 GOP runoff, in an open-seat race Democrats see as their best shot at a Texas Senate seat in decades.

On the ballot against Ken Paxton (R)

Why it matters: This is an open Republican-held seat, and a Talarico win would end Democrats' 32-year losing streak in Texas statewide races and could help decide Senate control.

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The race at a glance

Race ratingToss-upCook Political Report, Oct 20 source

Polling average (6 polls) Talarico 48.8% 47.3% Paxton 4% undecided or other Talarico +1.5▼ 1.2 this weekJun 30Oct 19Most recent poll from each pollster, Oct 13 to Oct 19. Checked Today, 9:52 PM ET. Every poll

Money raised (through Sep 30) Talarico$128,772,835 Paxton$19,497,810 $14,594,232 cash on hand. source

Every poll in this race

Pollster	Date	Sample	Talarico	Paxton	Margin
University of Houston Hobby School	Oct 19	2,000 LV	48%	46%	D +2
YouGov	Oct 18	1,458 LV	51%	49%	D +2
InsiderAdvantage	Oct 16	1,200 LV	48%	49%	R +1
ActiVote	Oct 15	400 LV	52%	48%	D +4
YouGov	Oct 14	861 LV	50%	47%	D +3
Marist Poll	Oct 14	1,196 LV	47%	45%	D +2
Quantus Insights	Oct 13	854 LV	47%	47%	Tied
Siena College	Oct 13	617 LV	48%	44%	D +4
Trafalgar Group	Oct 10	1,086 LV	47%	44%	D +3
UMass Lowell	Oct 8	850 LV	45%	45%	Tied
Guidant Polling	Oct 7	800 LV	47%	44%	D +3
YouGov	Oct 6	3,623 LV	50%	44%	D +6

LV = likely voters, RV = registered voters. Polls listed by 270toWin, which lists 45 polls in this race; the newest 12 are shown. Each pollster name links to its own release.

James's TV ads

Campaign adSenate, TX

James Talarico

“Here's Why”

Talarico +1.5▼ 1.2 this weekFrom the campaign's own channel · 42.5M views

Campaign adSenate, TX

James Talarico

“Drowning”

Talarico +1.5▼ 1.2 this weekFrom the campaign's own channel · 26.2M views

Posted by the campaign on YouTube. Plays from YouTube when you press play.

In James's own words

**James Talarico**, campaign website, on taxes and the cost of living source

**James Talarico**, after Paxton won the Republican runoff, May 27 source

Where James stands

Health care: He pledges to protect Texans' health insurance and Medicaid and lower drug costs and medical debt, building on the $25 monthly insulin cap he passed in Texas. source
Cost of living: He wants to cut taxes for working people, cap credit card interest rates, and lower rent, grocery, utility and gas costs by making billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share. source
Corruption: He takes no corporate PAC money and would push to ban super PACs, corporate PACs and stock trading by members of Congress. source

The record

Member of the Texas House of Representatives since 2018
Former middle school English teacher
Studying for a Master of Divinity at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the 2026 Democratic primary

ConfidentialThe GOP File

The file on Ken Paxton

Paxton, the Texas attorney general, won the Republican nomination by defeating four-term Sen. John Cornyn in a May runoff after President Trump endorsed him. source
As of Oct. 8 Paxton had not accepted any debate invitations, though a spokesperson said in July that he would debate. source
Talarico's campaign points to Paxton's 2023 impeachment by fellow Republicans and to his growing personal wealth as central lines of attack. source

Endorsed by

Congressional Black Caucus PAC Former Republican state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock

On tape

Talarico says Ken Paxton will show up anywhere but a Texas debate stageOct 21

Talarico on Ken Paxton: $27 million richer and 15 homes since taking officeOct 21

Talarico: Texans voted for lower costs, an end to wars and the Epstein files. Here's what they got.Oct 21

Talarico's questions for Ken Paxton: a $27M jump in net worth, 15 homes, and an impeachment by his own partyOct 20

Talarico: Ken Paxton's net worth up $27M and he owns 15 homes, while most Texans can't afford one.Oct 19

Talarico to Paxton: you asked for proof of life, I'm asking for proof of spine.Oct 18

James Talarico. Photo: Antonioaesparza, CC BY-SA 4.0

Profile sources: 1, 2, 3

Race data checked Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Quotes on this page were matched word for word against their sources.