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Texas Senate Race Turns Competitive as Republicans Attack Talarico’s Masculinity and Democrats Press Paxton’s Scandals

The exchange could determine whether national spending and turnout flip a reliably Republican statewide electorate.

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Republicans have launched a series of attacks and personal insults against Texas Democratic Senate contender James Talarico, hoping these tactics might prove effective against the Texas politician they see as a real threat in the Senate race in the mid-term elections, analysts say.
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Overview

  • Ken Paxton clinched the Republican nomination after a May 26 runoff upset and Republicans have moved quickly to cast James Talarico as culturally out of step with Texas.
  • Republican operatives and commentators have used nicknames and masculinity-focused taunts to define Talarico, who has publicly walked back some past remarks about gender.
  • Democrats are countering by highlighting Paxton’s long record of legal and ethical troubles, including a 2015 indictment on fraud-related charges and a 2023 impeachment by the Texas House.
  • Fundraising surges for Talarico, mixed and partly dated polls that show a narrow lead, and early shifts in national ratings have made the race a target for outside money and turnout efforts.
  • Coverage differs by outlet with some analysts warning the cultural attacks could energize the GOP base while others argue Paxton’s scandals give Democrats a real opening to win across suburbs and parts of South Texas.