‘We Have Not Seen Ugly Yet’
The Texas Senate race between Ken Paxton and James Talarico is expected to be contentious and filled with negative campaigning. Paxton, the Republican nominee, has strong support from the MAGA movement, while Talarico, a Democratic state lawmaker, aims to present a message of love and economic populism. Both candidates have controversial backgrounds that will likely be exploited in the upcoming months of campaigning.
- ▪Ken Paxton won the Republican nomination for the Senate in Texas with significant support from President Trump.
- ▪James Talarico, the Democratic opponent, is a state lawmaker with a focus on love and economic populism.
- ▪Both candidates have faced controversies that will shape their campaigns and the overall election narrative.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Politics‘We Have Not Seen Ugly Yet’Paxton versus Talarico is already awful. By Elaine GodfreyMark Felix / Bloomberg / GettyMay 27, 2026, 5:53 PM ET ShareSave Two things are as certain as bluebonnets in spring now that Ken Paxton is the Republican nominee for the Senate in Texas: Democrats have a better-than-usual chance of winning statewide. And the next 23 weeks are going to be hideous.Paxton’s big win comes days after President Trump stuck his finger into the wind, determined that incumbent John Cornyn was toast, and gave the attorney general his last-minute support. Even though the nearly 28-point margin was surprising, it was probably always going to be Paxton.
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