Overview
- Democrat James Talarico publicly challenged Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton to three televised debates and Paxton’s campaign confirmed he will appear on debate stages after both campaigns received invitations from Nexstar, KXAN, NBC/Hearst and WFAA/TEGNA.
- The agreement to debate follows weeks of polling and reporting showing the race locked in a statistical tie, making onstage performances an early test of voter persuasion in a contest that could affect Senate control.
- Talarico plans to press Paxton on his finances, his 2023 impeachment and a plea deal involving Adam Hoffman while Paxton’s team intends to attack Talarico on transgender policy, tax proposals and past comments.
- Tensions with Black voters surfaced at a Houston town hall when attendee Kandice Webber demanded answers from Talarico, and the candidate announced a $25 million Black voter outreach commitment to shore up support.
- Paxton’s long record of declining debates and his legal controversies give Democrats a contrast to use onstage, but Texas history shows debates do not always change outcomes, and outside party groups now cleared to coordinate are expected to spend heavily.