Texas state Rep. James Talarico‘s Democratic Senate campaign raked in record donations on Tuesday, when his rival secured the Republican nomination, setting the pair up to face off in November. Tuesday evening, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton trounced Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), securing a resounding victory in the Republican primary that ended the incumbent’s decadeslong streak in the Senate. In the first two hours following Paxton’s win, Talarico hauled in $600,000, the strongest two hours of his entire campaign, according to Politico. The development signals Paxton faces a tough path to victory in the general election, and comes after Talarico’s campaign raised a historically massive figure in the first quarter of 2026.
Talarico raised $27 million during the first three months of 2026, one of the highest figures on record for a Senate candidate.
The Senate race between Talarico and Paxton is one of the most closely watched in the country, as it will help determine whether Democrats or Republicans hold a majority in the upper chamber. The latest polling puts the two men in a dead heat to win the general election, reinforcing the fiercely competitive dynamics at play in Texas.
Talarico has sought to paint himself as a bipartisan policymaker, as he must win the support of some Republicans to win the race in the deep red state. The GOP has sought to brand the Democrat as someone who would pursue controversial progressive policies. Among other things, Talarico is known for his anti-wealth stance with his opposition to the “billionaire class.” On the foreign policy side, he has sharply critiqued Israel and has embraced a populist, isolationist-leaning approach, targeting the Trump administration over interventions in Iran and Venezuela.
