Trump backs Ken Paxton as Texas Senate race tightens
President Donald Trump issued a public endorsement of Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas U.S. Senate contest. Paxton, who defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the GOP primary, now faces Democratic candidate James Talarico, who holds a modest lead in recent polling. Cornyn has publicly criticized Paxton following the primary loss.
Talarico has accused Paxton of ignoring requests from Jeffrey Epstein survivors to discuss their cases, framing the issue as a partisan divide. Talarico also notes support from a group of Republican figures, positioning himself as a unifying alternative in a race that could determine control of the Senate.
How this was covered
- Right-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story
Why it matters
The outcome could flip a long‑held Republican Senate seat and affect the balance of power in Washington.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTAll camps note a tight Texas Senate race and heavy spending, but left-leaning coverage emphasizes Paxton’s scandals and Trump’s mockery while praising Talarico’s cross-party endorsements, centrist coverage presents the contest as a historic toss-up with poll leads for Talarico, and right-leaning coverage stresses Trump’s endorsement and confidence that Paxton will prevail.
LEFT
The race is portrayed as a battle against a scandal-plagued, Trump-backed Republican (Paxton) with Talarico gaining cross-party support and grassroots momentum.
CENTER
The contest is depicted as a historically close, competitive toss-up with significant money on both sides and poll leads for Talarico.
RIGHT
The story is framed around Trump’s backing of Paxton, portraying him as the strong, rightful candidate and casting Talarico as a radical opponent.
The left emphasises
- Paxton is described as “scandal-plagued” and criticized by Republicans at the convention.
- Trump mocked Paxton’s looks and demeanor at the Dallas convention.
- Talarico’s food-drive and faith-based outreach are highlighted as grassroots efforts.
The right emphasises
- Trump released a personal video giving a “complete and total endorsement” to Paxton.
- RNC Chair predicts Texas voters will choose Paxton, calling the state “ruby-red.”
- Talarico is derided with the nickname “Talafreako” and labeled a “radical” Democrat.
How this story developed
- Aug 17 Midterm outlook shifts as key Senate and governor contests turn competitive
- Aug 29 Talarico aired his first television advertisement targeting Paxton.
- Sep 1 President Trump arrived in Texas to fundraise for Ken Paxton.
- Sep 1 Lone Star Liberty PAC committed $15 million to a new television advertising campaign for Paxton.
- Sep 1 Speaker Mike Johnson said he met with Elon Musk in an effort to secure financial support for Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections.
- Sep 2 A poll shows Talarico at 44.0% and Paxton at 43.4% among likely voters.
- Sep 4 The America PAC filing listed independent expenditures in multiple 2026 races.
- Sep 6 Democratic Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar is refusing federal demands for voter data, while Republican rival Jim Marchant persists in promoting unfounded fraud allegations.
- Sep 7 MAGA Inc. filed an FEC report showing a new advertising purchase for the Texas Senate contest.
- Sep 11 Analysts reclassified the contest as a toss‑up with Talarico outspending Paxton by roughly seven‑fold.
- Sep 13 Senator John Cornyn publicly rebuked Bo French, the Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner, after French posted a racially charged comment about South Asian students at a University of Texas football game.
- Sep 14 Republican candidates have also entered secretary of state races in Arizona and Wisconsin.
- Sep 18 Cornyn has not yet decided whether to support the Democratic challenger or abstain.
- Sep 18 Donald Trump publicly endorsed Ken Paxton for the Senate.
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