James Talarico, Ken Paxton Hold Rallies

What happened

Texas voters began casting in-person early ballots as Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton held competing Fort Worth-area rallies in the Senate race. Both candidates focused on economic issues while attacking each other in the campaign’s final weeks. The contest is unusually close for Texas, which has not elected a Democratic U.S. senator since 1993. Recent polls generally showed Talarico narrowly ahead of Paxton, while others showed the race tied. Paxton accused Talarico of radical views on social issues and taxes. Talarico called Paxton corrupt and said Elon Musk was trying to buy the seat by financing Paxton’s campaign. President Donald Trump is scheduled to return October 27 for Paxton rallies in Lubbock and Waco.

How each side covered it

From the left

Left-leaning outlets framed the rallies around money and pressure, focusing on outside power behind Paxton rather than the race’s partisan history. Common Dreams highlighted Talarico’s claim that Elon Musk wanted “his very own” senator and was using attack ads to get one. Joe.My.God. cast Republican warnings about prosecution as intimidation aimed at voters and election officials.

From the right

Right-leaning outlets treated the rallies as a stress test for Republicans in a state they usually expect to hold. The Daily Mail emphasized Paxton playing defense while casting Talarico’s politics as a threat to Texas social values and capitalism. Fox News focused on Talarico campaigning apart from Bernie Sanders even as Democrats rallied for his Senate bid.

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James Talarico, Ken Paxton Hold Rallies

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What happened

How each side covered it

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