Poll: Talarico has slim lead over Paxton in Texas Senate race

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Who published it, and when

How it spread - 65 original reports, 4 reprints

1. Tue, 4 August 2026

   1 report
   • Axios09:00first to report
     Poll: Talarico has slim lead over Paxton in Texas Senate race

     Three consecutive polls have now shown Democrat James Talarico narrowly ahead of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in that state's crucial race for the U.S. Senate. The latest, released Tuesday morning, has Talarico up 47%-45%. Why it matters: That's within the survey's margin of error, and the Republican establishment isn't panicking — not yet, anyway. But there are some troubling signs for the GOP nominee among white and Latino voters. State of play: The private theory among top Republican...

2. Wed, 5 August 2026

   1 report
   • ktep.org14:38
     Another poll shows James Talarico leading Ken Paxton in race for the U.S. Senate

     The survey released Tuesday by Texas Southern University’s Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center marks the third consecutive poll showing Talarico, the Democratic candidate, ahead of Paxton, the Republican.

3. Thu, 6 August 2026

   1 report
   • Google News - Top Stories09:01
     In Texas’ Most Eligible Senate Race, It’s Bachelor vs. Divorcé-to-Be

     In Texas’ Most Eligible Senate Race, It’s Bachelor vs. Divorcé-to-Be The New York Times Most Black Texas voters back Talarico over Paxton, poll finds, despite Senate primary tensions The Texas Tribune Sean Hannity questions Fox News’ own poll that shows Democrat leading race for Texas Senate seat The Independent Another poll shows James Talarico leading Ken Paxton in their race for the U.S. Senate Houston Public Media Hannity Melts Down at His Own Network’s Poll Spelling Trouble for Trump The...

4. Fri, 7 August 2026

   2 reports
   • The Hill13:03edited after publishing
     Talarico opens 4-point lead over Paxton in Texas Senate poll

     Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D) has a 4-point lead over state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) in the Lone Star State's Senate race, according to a new survey. The Texas Pulse/Texas A&M Bush School poll, released Friday, shows 47 percent of likely Texas voters plan to support Talarico, while 43 percent chose Paxton. In...

   • Al Jazeera English22:08
     Democrats gain momentum in pivotal US Senate and governor’s races in Texas

     James Talarico leads Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race, signalling a potential shift in the Republican stronghold.

5. Sat, 8 August 2026

   2 reports
   • The Hill14:41
     Ex-GOP strategist: 'This might be the year' Democrats win Texas

     Former GOP strategist Joseph Moreno said "this might be the year" that Democrats win in Texas after a three-decade drought since a Democrat has won in the Lone Star State. In an appearance on CNN’s “The Lead,” host Jake Tapper asked Moreno about recent polling that showed Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D-Texas) leading Attorney...

   • alternet.org20:56
     'Embarrassed' Republican says party in big trouble in red-state stronghold

     The Republican Party seems poised for disaster in one of its most reliable red-state strongholds, as one former GOP strategist admitted this week that he is "embarrassed" for the party, and worried they might lose big there for the first time in decades amid President Donald Trump's meddling and plu...

6. Sun, 9 August 2026

   1 report
   • thedailybeast.com18:32
     Trump Senate Pick Sounds Alarm as GOP Braces for Midterms

     The Trump-backed Republican is sounding the alarm as polls show his Senate bid slipping away.

7. Mon, 10 August 2026

   1 report
   • durangoherald.com11:00
     Closed primaries empower the fringe; open primaries are a step toward sanity

     How could Donald Trump with bottom-scraping approval ratings decide who would represent the Republican Party in the upcoming Texas senatorial race? The

8. Wed, 12 August 2026

   1 report
   • breitbart.com00:10
     Ken Paxton Announces 18 Texas GOP Congressional Endorsements

     Ken Paxton announced endorsements from 18 Republican members of the Texas's congressional delegation in his U.S. Senate race against Democrat James Talarico.

9. Thu, 13 August 2026

   2 reports
   • The Hill10:00
     Paxton, Talarico locked in dead heat for Texas Senate: Poll

     The two candidates in the Texas Senate race are neck-in-neck less than three months out from the midterm election, according to a new poll released on Thursday. An Emerson College Polling/Nexstar Media survey found Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) polling at 47 percent and state Rep. James Talarico (D) polling at 46 percent among...

   • fox26houston.com17:22
     Who leads 2026 Texas Senate race? Latest Paxton vs. Talarico polls

     Polls have shown the hotly contested U.S. Senate race in Texas is in a dead heat.

10. Mon, 17 August 2026

    2 reports
    • rawstory.com23:11edited after publishing
      GOP stunned after 'unheard of' defection rocks high-profile race

      previouslyGOP stunned after 'unheard of' defection rocks high-profile primary race

      Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico just hired a five-year veteran of Republican Sen. John Cornyn's office to help sink GOP nominee Ken Paxton.Jacob Smith, who served as Cornyn's deputy legislative director and policy adviser, is joining Talarico's campaign as deputy political director,...

    • townhall.com23:30
      John Cornyn's Staffing Fiasco Is Unbelievably Revealing

      John Cornyn’s staffing shift reveals deep political divides ahead of 2026 Texas elections.

11. Tue, 18 August 2026

    1 report
    • The Hill15:11
      Talarico campaign hires former top Cornyn staffer

      Texas state Sen. James Talarico’s (D) campaign team on Monday confirmed it poached a former staffer for Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) to join him on the campaign trail months ahead of the midterm elections. Jacob Smith, who served as deputy legislative director for Cornyn, will now serve as deputy policy director for the Democratic senatorial...

12. Wed, 19 August 2026

    1 report
    • townhall.com14:45
      James Talarico Claims Black Americans Too Dumb to Get Voter ID

      James Talarico faces backlash over controversial voter ID comments and outreach to Black voters in Texas.

13. Thu, 20 August 2026

    1 report
    • Index.hr (Croatia)10:45
      Tvrda republikanska utvrda mogla bi pasti u ruke demokrata

      MALO je političkih ideja koje među demokratima izazivaju toliko entuzijazma kao mogućnost da Teksas postane "plav", odnosno da iz tradicionalno republikanske savezne države ponovno prijeđe u tabor demokrata. Taj se fenomen često naziva "Blexas".

14. Fri, 21 August 2026

    4 reports
    • breitbart.com02:31
      Talarico: Democrats and Republicans Will Come Together as Texans to Defeat Paxton

      Thursday on MS NOW's "All In," Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico said Democrats and Republicans will come together as Texans to defeat | Clips

    • rightspeak.net05:00
      James Talarico’s Border Policies Could Spark Another Biden-Level Migrant Crisis: No One is Calling Out the Texas Democrat for Using Fake Tough Talk to Mask Intentions to Restore Joe Biden’s Disastrous Open Border
    • pjmedia.com10:52
      Democrats Believe They Can Take Iowa and Texas Senate Seats. Are They Delusional?

      Democrats aim to flip Iowa and Texas Senate seats amid tough Republican competition and shifting polls.

    • iheart.com15:00
      Why Is Paxton So Far Behind On Add Spending?

      Democrat Senate candidate Representative James Talarico has plastered his ads across television and the internet. He’s raised immense amounts of money in his bid to be the first Texas statewide elected Democrat in roughly 30 years, and he’s not wasting any time when it comes to putting it to work.

15. Sat, 22 August 2026

    1 report
    • freerepublic.com19:45
      Good Riddance to John Cornyn and His Democrat Staffers
16. Sun, 23 August 2026

    2 reports
    • The Hill17:00
      Texas GOP rep on Talarico: 'His views would kill Texas'

      Texas Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R) said Sunday that Senate Democratic nominee James Talarico backs policies that would “kill” their state. During an interview on “The Hill Sunday,” Van Duyne said Talarico is “pretty much a complete DSA candidate,” referring to the Democratic Socialists of America. Talarico has never been a member of the left-wing...

    • dailycaller.com19:12
      Dems Worry James Talarico Lacks Support From Key Demographic In White Whale Senate Target

      Democrats are warning that James Talarico lacks the amount of support from black voters he needs to flip the traditionally Republican state.

17. Mon, 24 August 2026

    2 reports
    • The Hill16:12
      Rep. Al Green files articles of impeachment against Trump again

      Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) introduced articles of impeachment against President Trump on Monday, reviving his push to remove the president from office as Democrats debate how aggressively to confront Trump ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Green’s resolution is aimed at impeaching Trump for high crimes and misdemeanors “committed in violation of the president’s mandated...

    • newsweek.com19:32
      James Talarico blasts Ken Paxton for 'made with AI' Texas data center plan

      Data centers have become a central issue in the battle for the Senate in the Lone Star State.

18. Tue, 25 August 2026

    3 reports
    • townhall.com14:45
      James Talarico Is Getting Pilloried for Endorsing Candidate Who Downplayed Child Molestation

      James Talarico faces backlash for endorsing a candidate who downplayed child molestation.

    • christianpost.com16:24
      Talarico calls Paxton 'anti-puppy' over dog testing despite praising Fauci, who approved animal experiments

      The campaign of Texas Democratic U S Senate candidate James Talarico is seizing on resurfaced reports about Republican rival, Attorney General Ken Paxton, ruling over a decade ago that animal testing

    • latintimes.com21:55
      Texas Latinos Are Wavering on Trump — And the Senate Race Is Where It Shows

      Four Texas polls agree Hispanic voters are drifting from the GOP toward Talarico — but disagree sharply on how far, and one deserves scrutiny.

19. Wed, 26 August 2026

    3 reports
    • wknofm.org15:55
      Checking in on Texas' tossup Senate race

      As midterms approach, we're taking a closer look at some of the tossup races in the Senate and the House.

      1 reprint

      • wbur.org26 Aug, 11:55their copy
    • marinij.com16:36edited after publishing
      Talarico wants to unearth Paxton’s depositions to keep focus on opponent’s past in Texas Senate race

      previouslyTalarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on past

      Paxton was connected to a mineral assets company but not a defendant in its fraud case.

    • nbcdfw.com21:42edited after publishing
      Talarico is trying to make Ken Paxton’s depositions public and here’s why

      previouslyKen Paxton depositions could be unsealed in Texas Senate race

20. Thu, 27 August 2026

    2 reports
    • The Hill17:38
      Talarico leads Paxton for Texas Senate while Hinojosa trails Abbott in governor's race: Poll

      Democrat James Talarico is leading Republican Ken Paxton in the Senate race in Texas, while Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is leading Democrat Gina Hinojosa in the gubernatorial race in the Lone Star State, according to a new poll from Texas Public Opinion Research. In the poll, 47 percent of respondents said they would back Talarico...

    • The Hill21:20
      Trump boosts Paxton amid GOP worries over Texas Senate flip

      President Trump’s trip to Texas to boost GOP midterm efforts, including state Attorney General Ken Paxton’s (R) Senate campaign, is highlighting the red state’s prominence on the midterm election map as it takes up oxygen in Republicans’ battle to retain their majority. The president’s visit comes as the prospect of Democrats flipping Texas, a traditional...

21. Fri, 28 August 2026

    2 reports
    • The Hill21:00
      Crockett suggests she won't campaign with Talarico, will focus 'down ballot'

      Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) said she will focus on “campaigning down ballot” in Texas, suggesting that she won’t campaign with Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico after he defeated her in the party’s primary. “We’ve seen the turnout that you can produce. Talarico might very well need that magnetism. Will you campaign with him?” CNN’s Laura...

    • cbs4local.com23:27
      Texas Senate race could become nation's most expensive as Democrats eye upset

      Texas' competitive Senate race could be the nation's costliest, as Democrats rally behind James Talarico and Republicans weigh how much to spend to support Ken Paxton.

      2 reprints

      • cbs12.com28 Aug, 23:27their copy
      • nebraska.tv28 Aug, 23:27their copy
22. Sun, 30 August 2026

    2 reports
    • iheart.com02:15
      Gov. Abbott Calls Talarico "Pathological Liar"

      San Antonio's First News is heard weekday mornings from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. with the latest news, traffic, weather and sports. Broadcasting live from San Antonio, Texas on News Radio 1200 WOAI and the iHeartRadio app.

    • koaa.com15:41
      Republicans fret as Talarico bombards airwaves and Paxton awaits Trump team’s cash

      The Texas Senate race could decide control of the chamber — and Republicans are sounding the alarm over a massive Democratic ad spending advantage.

23. Mon, 31 August 2026

    1 report
    • The Hill14:51
      Paxton responds to Cornyn calling him 'lazy': 'They don't know my schedule'

      Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) on Sunday pushed back on Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) calling him a “lazy” campaigner. “John Cornyn doesn’t know my schedule. He doesn’t know how many hours I’m putting in every day, 18 hours a day,” Paxton told host Jacqui Heinrich on Fox News’s “The Sunday Briefing.” Paxton, who beat...

24. Tue, 1 September 2026

    3 reports
    • rawstory.com16:30
      Conservative mocks 'amphibious-looking' GOP firebrand as Republicans flee 'electoral doom'

      Despite warnings, President Donald Trump threw his support behind scandal-plagued Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and now the entire GOP is having to live with the consequences.In a column for the conservative National Review, analyst Jeffrey Blehar reminded readers that he has long opposed replac...

    • The Hill16:40
      Paxton allies plan $15 million ad campaign

      A super PAC backing Texas Senate GOP nominee Ken Paxton released two new ads on Tuesday, as the Republican is locked in a bitter fight against Democrat James Talarico. The ads from Lone Star Liberty PAC cost $15 million and will air across 18 markets in Texas over the next two weeks, a spokesperson for...

    • kbat.com23:18
      James Talarico Stops By Baylor On September 16 For Senate Campaign Event

      James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, is coming to Baylor's Hurd Center on September 16 at 7 p.m. The university invited both him and Republican opponent Ken Paxton to speak, though Paxton's schedule didn't work out.

25. Wed, 2 September 2026

    1 report
    • dailykos.com20:00
      Are Republicans giving up on heated Texas Senate race?

      The game of chicken that Republicans are playing with Trump in Texas rages on.

26. Thu, 3 September 2026

    3 reports
    • The Hill15:52
      Musk's America PAC spends about $800K in key midterm races

      Tech mogul Elon Musk’s super PAC has spent around $800,000 in top House and Senate races this cycle, according to the latest filings. America PAC spent the most in Texas, doling out roughly $248,000 as Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton fights for the Senate in a toss-up contest against Democrat James Talarico. The group...

    • The Hill20:44
      Rove: 'Time is running out' for Paxton in Texas Senate race

      Republican strategist Karl Rove expressed his doubts about Texas Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton’s chances in his November race. “So, time is running out. If the president wants to have Paxton win, he needs to be tossing a lot of money Paxton's way so that ads can be run that depict Talarico as the far-left...

    • dailykos.com22:29
      New Poll has Gina Hinojosa Within 1 Point of Greg Abbott in Texas Gov Race.

      There has been a ton of attention on the Texas Senate race, but much less on the race for governor. And it is very close. The latest poll was commissioned by a conservative think tank and shows…

27. Fri, 4 September 2026

    1 report
    • politicalwire.com12:11
      Paxton’s Financial Disclosures Appear to Violate Ethics Law

      "Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) appears to have violated federal ethics law in significant ways when filing recent disclosures of his assets and liabilities, creating confusion about his net worth and holdings," ProPublica reports."Among

28. Sat, 5 September 2026

    10 reports
    • news-journal.com10:33
      Talarico aims to rally rural Texans to cut Paxton’s edge in Senate race

      In 2018, Texas’ Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate sought to run a different type of campaign. For years, liberal candidates had focused on Texas’ most populous areas — cities where […]

    • Google News - Top Stories19:29
      Trump delivers $10 million to Ken Paxton in first major contribution of midterms - cbsnews.com

      Trump delivers $10 million to Ken Paxton in first major contribution of midterms cbsnews.com Trump-linked MAGA Inc pours $10M into Ken Paxton's Texas Senate race against James Talarico Fox News Trump’s MAGA Inc. sends $10M to Texas in first general election spend of the year Politico Trump’s first major midterm money move: A $10M Texas Senate ad blitz AP News Rove: ‘Time is running out’ for Paxton in Texas Senate race The Hill

    • Google News - Top Stories19:30
      Trump-aligned super PAC to spend $10 million in Texas Senate race

      Trump-aligned super PAC to spend $10 million in Texas Senate race NBC News Trump’s PAC wades into midterms with $10 million ad buy to boost Ken Paxton CNN Trump delivers $10 million to Ken Paxton in first major contribution of midterms CBS News Trump’s MAGA Inc. sends $10M to Texas in first general election spend of the year politico.com Trump’s first major midterm money move: A $10M Texas Senate ad blitz AP News

    • Google News - Top Stories19:49
      Trump’s first major midterm money move: A $10M Texas Senate ad blitz

      Trump’s first major midterm money move: A $10M Texas Senate ad blitz AP News Trump-aligned super PAC to spend $10 million in Texas Senate race NBC News Trump delivers $10 million to Ken Paxton in first major contribution of midterms cbsnews.com Trump’s MAGA Inc. sends $10M to Texas in first general election spend of the year Politico Rove: ‘Time is running out’ for Paxton in Texas Senate race The Hill

    • PBS NewsHour20:44
      Trump's first major midterm money move: A $10 million Texas Senate ad blitz

      This is the first significant spending in a premier general election contest by MAGA, Inc., and reflects how a once-safe Republican seat in Texas may be viable for Democrats with the candidacy of James Talarico.

    • Google News - Top Stories20:44
      Trump's first major midterm money move: A $10 million Texas Senate ad blitz

      Trump's first major midterm money move: A $10 million Texas Senate ad blitz PBS Trump delivers $10 million to Ken Paxton in first major contribution of midterms CBS News Trump’s MAGA Inc. sends $10M to Texas in first general election spend of the year Politico Trump-aligned super PAC to spend $10 million in Texas Senate race NBC News Trump-linked MAGA Inc pours $10M into Ken Paxton's Texas Senate race against James Talarico foxnews.com

    • Bloomberg Politics20:45
      Trump’s Super PAC to Pump $10 Million Into Texas to Boost Paxton

      President Donald Trump’s super political action committee is spending $10 million to back Republican Ken Paxton’s US Senate bid in Texas, its biggest expenditure yet in this election cycle, according to a filing with the Federal Election Commission.

    • Google News - Top Stories21:15
      Trump’s MAGA Inc. sends $10M to Texas in first general election spend of the year

      Trump’s MAGA Inc. sends $10M to Texas in first general election spend of the year Politico Trump delivers $10 million to Ken Paxton in first major contribution of midterms CBS News Trump’s PAC wades into midterms with $10 million ad buy to boost Ken Paxton CNN Trump’s first major midterm money move: A $10M Texas Senate ad blitz AP News Trump-linked MAGA Inc pours $10M into Ken Paxton's Texas Senate race against James Talarico Fox News

    • The Hill21:43edited after publishing
      Trump's MAGA Inc. super-PAC funnels $10 million into Texas Senate race

      previouslyTrump's MAGA Inc. super-PAC funnels $10 million into Ken Paxton's Senate campaign

      President Trump’s super-PAC MAGA Inc. gave $10 million in support of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's (R) Senate campaign ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings published Saturday. The $10 million payment, given to political media company, Del Ray Media, funded two attack ads against his Democratic opponent James...

    • Al Jazeera English22:58
      Trump-backed group announces $10m ad spend for midterm Senate race in Texas

      US president has pledged more than $400m through his super PAC to boost Republican candidates in the upcoming midterms.

29. Sun, 6 September 2026

    5 reports
    • breitbart.com02:20
      Trump’s MAGA Inc. Pours $10 Million into Ken Paxton’s Senate Race

      Trump’s MAGA Inc. super PAC is putting at least $10 million behind Texas AG Ken Paxton in his Senate race against Dem James Talarico.

    • legalinsurrection.com19:00
      Texas Democrat James Talarico Holding Campaign Event in Los Angeles

      'Tickets for the event start at $500 and go as high as $13,500'

    • Google News - Top Stories19:20
      Hinojosa on Trump $10M Paxton race investment: ‘I welcome the attention on Texas’

      Hinojosa on Trump $10M Paxton race investment: ‘I welcome the attention on Texas’ The Hill Trump-linked MAGA Inc pours $10M into Ken Paxton's Texas Senate race against James Talarico Fox News Trump’s first major midterm money move: A $10M Texas Senate ad blitz AP News Trump’s MAGA Inc. sends $10M to Texas in first general election spend of the year Politico A closer look at how Talarico and Paxton could fare in crucial North Texas counties in U.S. Senate race CBS News

    • Google News - Top Stories19:20
      Hinojosa on Trump $10M Paxton race investment: ‘I welcome the attention on Texas’

      Hinojosa on Trump $10M Paxton race investment: ‘I welcome the attention on Texas’ The Hill Trump-linked MAGA Inc pours $10M into Ken Paxton's Texas Senate race against James Talarico Fox News Trump’s first major midterm money move: A $10M Texas Senate ad blitz AP News Trump’s MAGA Inc. sends $10M to Texas in first general election spend of the year Politico A closer look at how Talarico and Paxton could fare in crucial North Texas counties in U.S. Senate race CBS News

    • The Hill19:20edited after publishing
      Hinojosa on Trump $10M Paxton race investment: 'I welcome the attention on Texas'

      previouslyHinojosa on Trump $10 million Paxton race investment: 'I welcome the attention on Texas'

      Texas gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa (D) embraced the new spotlight on her state brought on by the unexpectedly close Senate race between Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D) and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R). “You are running in a state President Trump won by nearly 14 percentage points. He just announced, as I mentioned,...

30. Tue, 8 September 2026

    2 reports
    • texastribune.org17:18
      Paxton whistleblower endorses Talarico in Texas Senate race

      David Maxwell was among the top attorney general officials who reported Paxton to the FBI and later testified at his impeachment trial.

      1 reprint

      • kwtx.com8 Sept, 21:26their copy
    • The Hill22:33
      Former Texas attorney general aide, Paxton whistleblower backs Talarico in attack ad

      Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico released a new advertisement with a former aide to his Republican rival, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. According to The Texas Tribune, David Maxwell spent close to 10 years as the Texas attorney general’s director of law enforcement. Six years ago, Paxton was reported to the FBI by Maxwell and...

31. Wed, 9 September 2026

    1 report
    • news4sanantonio.com04:40
      Gina Hinojosa campaigns in San Antonio, proposes $1,500 rainy-day rebates to ease costs

      The race for governor is shaping up to be one of the closet races in decades. A new non-partisan poll shows Governor Gregg Abbott leading Democratic challenger