Texas Republicans Scramble To Defend Seat

What happened

Updated Oct 30, 11:46am ET

Texas Republicans are scrambling to defend a U.S. Senate seat against James Talarico's challenge. Democratic state Rep. James Talarico is running against Republican Ken Paxton, Texas’s attorney general and President Donald Trump’s endorsed candidate, in a race that polls show Talarico narrowly leading. Texas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1988, making the contest a rare statewide opening for Democrats and a possible factor in Senate control. Paxton faces past corruption and bribery allegations after a 2023 impeachment and acquittal, plus resolved securities-fraud charges without admitting guilt. Talarico has attacked Paxton’s ethics, while Paxton says the claims are unproven. Voters will decide the Senate race along with congressional, state and local contests.

How the left told it

Left-leaning outlets framed the race as a warning sign for Republicans, with Paxton’s weaknesses putting a normally safe seat at risk. HuffPost focused on Republican defections to Talarico and said Paxton faced hard questions even in friendly settings. New York Magazine cast Paxton as a scandal-plagued liability for the Texas GOP.

How the right told it

Right-leaning outlets treated Talarico’s rise as a serious threat to Texas Republican dominance, while stressing the GOP’s turnout response. Fox News emphasized that Talarico had turned a reliably red state into a competitive fight and highlighted his underdog message. The Blaze lingered on Republican rallies and the push to keep supporters voting.