Texas Senate Race: Early Votes Surge as Talarico Leads Paxton
Over 7.7 million Texans voted early in the midterms, a record 40.5% of eligible voters, as polls show a narrow Democratic lead in a contest with over $500 billion in combined spending.
By Isabella Melnyk ·
The Texas Senate race between Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico has drawn national attention due to shifting poll numbers and record voter turnout. Talarico, a state representative, currently leads in most opinion polls, though the margin varies by survey methodology.
This contest has become the most expensive in U.S. history, with more than $500 billion invested in both campaigns. Paxton’s campaign has received substantial financial backing from Elon Musk, following poll trends that favored Talarico in the months following summer. The financial scale reflects the high stakes of the election, which could determine the partisan control of the U.S. Senate for the next several years, including the remainder of President Trump’s term.
Voter participation in Texas has reached historic levels for a midterm election. According to the Texas Secretary of State, more than 7.7 million people cast early votes. This figure represents 40.5% of the state’s 19 million eligible voters. Analysts are closely watching the voting patterns of first-time voters and the Latino community, particularly in border regions that supported President Trump in 2024. The impact of the administration’s strict immigration policies on Hispanic voters is a key variable in this race.
The last time a Democrat won a U.S. Senate seat in Texas was in 1988. Lloyd Bentsen secured reelection to a fourth term that year, receiving over 3.1 million votes against approximately 2.1 million for Republican Beau Boulter. Since then, Republicans have maintained unbroken control of the state’s Senate seats. John Cornyn held his seat for 24 years before being defeated in the primary by Paxton, a candidate endorsed by President Trump.
A victory for Talarico would end a 38-year Democratic drought in Texas Senate elections. Conversely, a win for Paxton would extend the Republican hold on the seat. The outcome will influence the balance of power in Washington during the final two years of the current presidential term.
Voting is underway in Texas, with the early vote totals already exceeding previous records for midterm elections. The state’s 19 million eligible voters are casting ballots in a race that has generated significant financial and political interest.
Source: KXTX-TV
