Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico’s allies on Tuesday launched an ad campaign targeting GOP rival Ken Paxton, seeking to frame his opponent as “the most corrupt politician in Texas” ahead of the general election.
Lone Star Rising PAC, a group of wealthy megadonors supportive of Talarico, launched a seven-figure ad buy on digital and streaming platforms, according to the Texas Tribune. The development comes as the race has become one of the tightest in the country, with Democrats increasingly viewing it as a top possible pickup opportunity. The latest polling released Monday handed Talarico an edge roughly two months before voters cast their ballots.
One ad is positive, painting Talarico “the son of a single mom and grandson of a Baptist preacher” who wants to “stand up to the billionaires and take on a system that’s rigged against you.”
The other ad emphasizes the scandals Paxton has weathered as Texas’s attorney general, arguing they make him unfit to fill the Senate seat.
“His own party impeded him for bribery and abuse of power,” a narrator says in the 30-second ad spot, referring to Paxton’s impeachment by the state House in 2023 over accusations of corruption, bribery, and abuse of official powers. The state Senate later acquitted the Republican attorney general of all charges.
“While earning a taxpayer-funded salary, Paxton increased his net worth by up to $27 million and bought 15 properties,” the ad continues. “Politicians are supposed to use their office to help people. Ken Paxton used his to make a fortune.”
270 to Win’s polling average indicates Talarico holds a 2-point lead. A University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll released Monday showed Talarico with a 3-point lead, though it is within the margin of error.
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Prediction markets also cast a tight race. Kalshi has the two candidates tied, as of Tuesday morning. Polymarket has Talarico leading by 1 percentage point.
The University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll was conducted Aug. 5-13 and surveyed 1,200 registered voters in Texas. The margin of error for the survey is 2.83%, which rises to 3.58% when accounting for the weighted sample. Data collection was conducted by YouGov over the internet.