{"id":2653540,"date":"2026-09-02T11:19:01","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T15:19:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/james-talarico-rips-ken-paxton-over-debate-participation-in-new-ad\/"},"modified":"2026-09-02T11:19:46","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T15:19:46","slug":"james-talarico-rips-ken-paxton-over-debate-participation-in-new-ad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/james-talarico-rips-ken-paxton-over-debate-participation-in-new-ad\/","title":{"rendered":"James Talarico rips Ken Paxton over debate participation in new ad"},"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%2Fjames-talarico-rips-ken-paxton-over-debate-participation-in-new-ad%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=2653540&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 democratic Senate candidate James Talarico released a new ad criticizing his Republican opponent, Attorney General Ken Paxton, for avoiding debates by dodging scheduled televised debates on September 22, October 6, and October 13. Talarico challenged Paxton to participate, but Paxton has not confirmed his attendance, citing ongoing negotiations.The ad accuses paxton of &#8220;chickening out&#8221; and suggests his campaign is controlled by billionaire handlers who prevent him from debating. Despite past scandals, Paxton\u2019s campaign funds are substantially behind Talarico\u2019s, with only about $1.7 million compared to Talarico\u2019s over $21 million.Republican leaders are urging Trump to help fund Paxton\u2019s campaign in Texas, a costly state for campaigns, but Trump\u2019s fundraising committee has yet to invest. The upcoming GOP midterm convention in Dallas and a Democratic fundraiser in Los Angeles highlight the intense campaign competition.  <\/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\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"253\">Texas<\/a> Democratic Senate nominee <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/james-talarico\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"17710\">James Talarico<\/a> released a new <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/advertising\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"523\">advertisement<\/a> on Wednesday, tearing into his competitor, state Attorney General<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ken-paxton\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4370\"> Ken Paxton<\/a>, for dodging the Democrat\u2019s invitations to debate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talarico <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4651403\/talarico-challenge-paxton-debate-texas-senate\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4651403\/talarico-challenge-paxton-debate-texas-senate\/\">challenged Paxton to three televised debates<\/a> for the weeks leading up to the general election, but said the Republicans\u2019 \u201cbillionaire handlers won\u2019t let their favorite puppet answer questions in public.\u201d<\/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\/4709396\/talarico-paxton-debate-participation-new-ad\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Talarico rips Paxton over debate participation in new ad<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4709310\/biden-endorsed-dan-koh-wins-massachusetts-democratic-primary\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Biden-endorsed Dan Koh wins divided Democratic primary to succeed Seth Moulton<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4708146\/gop-anxiety-trump-midterm-money-too-late\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>GOP anxiety grows that Trump midterm money will be spent too late \u2014 or not at all<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new ad opens with a video of a reporter asking Paxton if he plans to participate in the debates against Talarico, to which Paxton does not answer and continues walking.<\/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\">\u201cThis is Ken Paxton chickening out of a debate,\u201d the ad said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Three debates are scheduled between the two candidates on Sept. 22, Oct. 6, and Oct. 13, each hosted by a different news station. Talarico \u201cimmediately\u201d agreed to the events, but Paxton has yet to say whether or not he plans to attend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHis handlers say he is just ironing out the details,\u201d  the ad said. \u201cThey\u2019ve been saying he is close to an agreement for weeks. But we know Ken Paxton.\u201d<\/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\">The ad continues to say Paxton hasn\u2019t engaged in a debate since he was impeached or indicted on securities fraud. Paxton was impeached in 2023 but later acquitted, and the securities fraud charge against him was dismissed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe get it. Ken Paxton\u2019s billionaire handlers won\u2019t let him answer questions in public,\u201d the ad said. \u201cThey\u2019ve got a lot riding on their favorite puppet becoming their own personal U.S. Senator. They know that if he opens his mouth, he\u2019ll lose the election.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBut go ahead, prove us wrong, Ken,\u201d it continued. \u201cShow us your billionaire handlers will finally let you on stage.\u201d<\/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\">The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to Paxton for comment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the candidates inch closer to the general election, the environment continues to look like an uphill climb for Paxton. Other than his past scandals giving the Talarico camp ammunition in attack ads, Paxton\u2019s campaign finances have been dwarfed by Talarico\u2019s fundraising numbers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fec.gov\/data\/candidates\/?q=paxton&#038;q=talarico&#038;is_active_candidate=true&#038;has_raised_funds=true\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.fec.gov\/data\/candidates\/?q=paxton&#038;q=talarico&#038;is_active_candidate=true&#038;has_raised_funds=true\">Federal Election Commission filings<\/a> from the end of June, Paxton has roughly $1.7 million in cash on hand, compared to Talarico\u2019s over $21 million.<\/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\">The financial front has caught the eye of Senate Majority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-thune\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"178\">John Thune<\/a> (R-SD), who urged President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> to help with campaign funding in Texas, which Thune said tends to be \u201can incredibly expensive state.\u201d Notably, some Republican donors have said it is Trump\u2019s responsibility to support Paxton financially after his endorsement helped secure his victory over Sen.<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-cornyn\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"965\"> John Cornyn<\/a> (R-TX), Thune, and other Republicans\u2019 pick, in the primary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4708527\/thune-trump-fundraising-paxton-texas-senate-race\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4708527\/thune-trump-fundraising-paxton-texas-senate-race\/\">THUNE SAYS \u2018WE\u2019RE GOING TO NEED\u2019 TRUMP TO HELP WITH PRICEY TEXAS SENATE RACE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump\u2019s campaign fundraising arm, Make America Great Again Inc., has yet to make an investment in Texas to support Paxton\u2019s campaign despite having over $400 million in cash on hand at the end of July, according to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fec.gov\/data\/committee\/C00892471\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.fec.gov\/data\/committee\/C00892471\/\">FEC filings<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paxton may have help on the horizon as the Republican National Committee is set to hold its first-ever midterm convention in Dallas next week and is likely to host Republican donors with deep pockets. During the GOP\u2019s event, Talarico will be in Los Angeles with \u201cLost\u201d co-creator Damon Lindelof to host a fundraiser for the Democrats\u2019 campaign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Talarico calls out Paxton for avoiding debates<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2653541,"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\/AP26195072328107.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[3896,59577,38244,5894,3694],"class_list":["post-2653540","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-debate","tag-james-talarico","tag-ken-paxton","tag-politics","tag-texas"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26195072328107.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2653540","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\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2653540"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2653540\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2653544,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2653540\/revisions\/2653544"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2653541"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2653540"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2653540"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2653540"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}