Overview
- Multiple public polls this week show Democrat James Talarico narrowly ahead of Republican Ken Paxton, but the margins are within typical sampling error and the contest remains too close to call.
- Federal filings show a stark fundraising gap with Talarico reporting roughly $30 million in Q2 and Paxton about $9 million, a disparity that could attract or deter major outside spending.
- Fox News’ own poll showing Talarico ahead drew on-air rejection from host Sean Hannity, highlighting sharp partisan disagreement over the survey’s implications for GOP strategy.
- Investigative reports published Wednesday by the Texas Tribune and ProPublica say Talarico may have voted using his parents’ address in multiple elections, a developing issue his campaign says Paxton is using to distract from the attorney general’s scandals.
- A video of a Talarico supporter being escorted from a Paxton event and cautious comments from Democratic figures about party investment underscore that turnout operations and where national committees place money will likely decide the race.