Politics · Oct 29October 29, 2026 · Texas Senate Race
Ken Paxton Courts Conservative Voters
Ken Paxton is rallying conservatives as polls show a close Texas Senate race with James Talarico.
· Pano rates the coverage Mostly Left
8 news reports and 4 analysis pieces8 news and 4 analysis
What happened
Updated Oct 29, 7:40pm ETKen Paxton
Ken PaxtonCandidate for US Senate is courting conservative voters with culture-war attacks and support from Republican leaders. Vice President JD Vance delivered a closing campaign pitch for Paxton as the Texas SenateTexas SenateSenate of the State of Texas race stayed tight. Republican Paxton faces Democratic state lawmaker James Talarico
James Talaricocandidate for US Senate in a race for retiring Republican Sen. John Cornyn
John CornynAmerican politician and attorney (born 1952)’s seat. Texas has not elected a Democrat statewide since 1994, but a Texas Southern University poll put Talarico at 49% and Paxton at 47%, within the error range. Paxton’s 2023 impeachment remains an issue; the Texas Senate acquitted him, and he denies wrongdoing. Paxton and allies have spent heavily on transgender-related ads. Early voting ends Friday. Election Day is November 3.
How the left told it
Left-leaning outlets framed Paxton’s push as a sign of strain, stressing weak enthusiasm, culture-war appeals and national Republican help in a race that should have been safer. Daily Beast focused on Paxton’s trouble firing up his base. MS NOW said the transgender and masculinity attacks energized conservatives but might not carry him. Boston Globe emphasized Republicans defending Trump-friendly ground.
How the right told it
Only one right-leaning outlet we track covered this: World News Group, under the headline “Texas toss-up”.
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Read the coverage
12 articles from 12 outlets. Open any headline to read it on the outlet’s site.
Boston GlobeReliableTrump and Vance are still on a campaign blitz. Here’s where they’re spending the last week before Election Day. - The Boston Globe 
MS NOWMostly ReliableAnalysisAnti-trans ads are holding Texas Republicans in line. They may not win Ken Paxton the race. 
Daily BeastMostly ReliableMAGA Candidate Gets Awkward Welcome From Tiny Crowd 
VoxMostly ReliableAnalysisRepublicans are trying to make the Texas Senate race about “manliness” 
MEDIAiteMostly ReliableNewsmax Host Grills Ken Paxton On Why Some Republicans Are ‘Passing’ On Him
NewsNationReliableKen Paxton and James Talarico facing different hurdles in Texas Senate race 
Political WireReliableAnalysisKen Paxton Sticks with the Voters He Knows 
The HillReliableVance makes fiery closing pitch for Paxton: ‘Texas is not surrendering a damn thing’ 
The Washington SunReliableAnalysisKen Paxton Sticks With the Voters He Knows 
USA TODAYReliableNew Texas Senate poll shows challenge for GOP in final days
World News GroupPart of the storylineStoryline · Texas Senate Race
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JD Vance