The Texas Republican is relying on ads and not committing to debates. Trump didn’t exactly help this week by saying Paxton wasn’t “the best-looking guy I’ve ever seen.”Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are facing off for a Texas Senate seat.Getty Images; USA Today Network via Reuters ConnectSept. 11, 2026, 1:24 PM EDTFor months, Republican Ken Paxton asserted that in the Texas Senate race, he was the candidate who projected strength. He and his party gleefully took shots at Democratic opponent James Talarico, calling him “weak” and “Low T Talarico,” even using fake AI images to depict the seminarian in a dress. Just a moment.We are getting your experience ready.