{"id":2630671,"date":"2026-07-16T13:28:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T17:28:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/talarico-challenges-paxton-to-three-televised-debates-in-us-senate-race\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T13:31:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T17:31:21","slug":"talarico-challenges-paxton-to-three-televised-debates-in-us-senate-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/talarico-challenges-paxton-to-three-televised-debates-in-us-senate-race\/","title":{"rendered":"Talarico challenges Paxton to three televised debates in US Senate race"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftalarico-challenges-paxton-to-three-televised-debates-in-us-senate-race%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2630671&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Texas State Rep.James Talarico is challenging incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton to three televised debates amid the approaching U.S. Senate race election. Talarico criticized Paxton, claiming he is controlled by wealthy donors and not answerable to the public, which Paxton&#8217;s campaign accepted, stating debates were already planned. Talarico also criticized Paxton\u2019s decision to spend the Fourth of July in the UK during his divorce proceedings, highlighting a fundraising advantage for himself over Paxton.Despite his lead in fundraising, recent polls show a very close race, with Paxton just edging Talarico within the margin of error. The election is highly competitive and contentious, with both candidates seeking to replace Senator John Cornyn.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/texas\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"253\">Texas<\/a> state Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/james-talarico\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"17710\">James Talarico<\/a> is challenging state Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ken-paxton\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4370\">Ken Paxton<\/a> to three televised debates as the general election for the U.S. Senate race nears.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Democratic nominee took a shot at his Republican opponent in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/jamestalarico\/status\/2077740846321979528\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/jamestalarico\/status\/2077740846321979528\">Thursday interview<\/a> on MS Now\u2019s <em>Morning Joe<\/em>.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4651171\/mike-collins-son-in-law-posted-white-nationalist-antisemitic-statements\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Mike Collins\u2019s son-in-law posted white nationalist and antisemitic statements: Report<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4651069\/jim-clyburn-backs-haley-stevens-michigan-senate\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Jim Clyburn backs Haley Stevens as CBC goes on offensive against DSA in Michigan<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4650981\/ruben-gallego-donates-thousands-from-eric-swalwell-camp-sexual-violence-prevention\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ruben Gallego donates $19,000 from Swalwell camp to sexual violence prevention<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe doesn\u2019t answer to the public because he\u2019s not a public servant. He is a puppet politician, and I want him to prove me wrong,\u201d Talarico said of Paxton. \u201cWe have to be focused on forgiveness and redemption and second chances. So that\u2019s why I am challenging Ken Paxton to three televised debates.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Texas Democrat framed Paxton as someone controlled by \u201cbillionaire handlers\u201d who don\u2019t want to see him on the debate stage ahead of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11675\">midterm elections<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ll be on that debate stage because I answer to the people of Texas,\u201d he added. \u201cKen Paxton answers to his billionaire mega-donors. We\u2019ll see if they let him show up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paxton\u2019s campaign quickly accepted Talarico\u2019s challenge, saying post-primary debates were always a part of the plan.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOf course we are going to debate James Talarico, and we look forward to engaging with potential debate hosts,\u201d Paxton adviser Nick Maddux told Houston-based news outlet KHOU 11 in a statement. \u201cJames Talarico isn\u2019t just out of touch. He\u2019s a dangerous radical whose record and agenda is so toxic and extreme that he has to hide it behind carefully scripted lies. We look forward to voters getting to learn about the real James Talarico.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paxton himself has not directly addressed Talarico\u2019s comments on social media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both candidates are seeking to replace Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-cornyn\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"965\">John Cornyn<\/a> (R-TX), who lost to Paxton in the Republican primary runoff election. The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a> race is one of the most high-stakes and personally contentious elections in the country this year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talarico criticized the Republican attorney general for spending his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fourth-of-july\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1852\">Fourth of July<\/a> weekend in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/united-kingdom\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"547\">United Kingdom<\/a> with his alleged mistress, Christian influencer Tracy Duhon. Their reported excursion abroad came amid the divorce proceedings involving Paxton and his longtime wife, Texas state Sen. Angela Paxton. The divorce has not yet been finalized, though the couple is separated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4639277\/talarico-paxton-july-fourth-england\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4639277\/talarico-paxton-july-fourth-england\/\">TALARICO KNOCKS PAXTON FOR SPENDING FOURTH OF JULY IN UK<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talarico holds a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4642389\/james-talarico-fundraising-tripled-dwarf-ken-paxton-closely-watched-race\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4642389\/james-talarico-fundraising-tripled-dwarf-ken-paxton-closely-watched-race\/\">fundraising advantage<\/a> over his opponent, having raised $30 million in the second quarter this year. Comparatively, Paxton collected only $9 million in the past three months. Neither holds a decisive lead in recent polling.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/texaspolitics.utexas.edu\/blog\/june-poll-finds-a-competitive-u-s-senate-race-in-texas-amid-continuing-economic-concerns-data-center-backlash\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/texaspolitics.utexas.edu\/blog\/june-poll-finds-a-competitive-u-s-senate-race-in-texas-amid-continuing-economic-concerns-data-center-backlash\">June poll<\/a> from the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin, Paxton led Talarico by 1 percentage point within the poll\u2019s margin of error.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Talarico challenges Paxton to 3 debates amid Senate race<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2630672,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26195072638642.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[15571,18466,34888,68501,82809],"class_list":["post-2630671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-debates","tag-paxton","tag-political-challenge","tag-talarico","tag-us-senate-race"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26195072638642.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2630671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2630671"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2630671\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2630674,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2630671\/revisions\/2630674"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2630672"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2630671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2630671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2630671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}