James Talarico Leads Texas Senate Race Amid Campaign Turmoil

Democratic candidate James Talarico currently leads Republican Ken Paxton by five points in a Texas Public Opinion Research poll, placing him within reach of becoming the first Texas Democrat to win a Senate seat in 30 years. In response, Senate Republicans have committed $100 million to advertising for Paxton, the state's attorney general, who has refused to debate Talarico.

Talarico is facing a targeted attack campaign funded by the Bellevue-based American Political Action Committee (AMERIPAC). The group is sending text messages to white voters claiming Talarico labeled white men as the top terror threat in America, referencing a comment Talarico made regarding radicalized white men and domestic terrorism. U.S. Representative Marc Veasey criticized the campaign as a return to the racial politics of previous decades.

Internal party friction has also emerged following an undercover recording of Sheena Flanary, Vice Chair for Voter Engagement for the Texas Democratic Party. Flanary claimed the process of Talarico winning the nomination over Jasmine Crockett felt intentionally racist and sexist, alleging that Talarico rebuffed her offers of support and fundraising.

Additionally, Talarico has ceased making public appearances in Texas since September 26, following a high-cost fundraising dinner in New York City. His campaign has cancelled several events, including a grassroots fundraiser in Austin and an appearance with the Central Texas African American Civic Engagement Symposium. While Talarico cited illness for a virtual meeting on September 30, social media users have questioned the timeline of his visit to a Dallas urgent care clinic relative to his New York trip.