Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton intensified their Senate campaign efforts in Tarrant County on Monday. Both held rallies in Fort Worth as Texans began casting votes in a highly competitive Senate race.
Tarrant County’s voting history has fluctuated over the years. In 2018, former Representative Beto O’Rourke surpassed Senator Ted Cruz, marking a rare win for a Democrat in the area. In presidential elections, the county narrowly favored President Joe Biden in 2020 and subsequently leaned towards former President Donald Trump in 2024.
Talarico and Paxton’s Campaign Events
Talarico, an Austin-based state representative, kicked off his day with a rally at the University of North Texas in Denton and later appeared at North Crowley High School in Fort Worth. His “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts” tour includes stops across East Texas, Houston, and other significant Texas locations.
Paxton, the current state attorney general, hosted a rally in Fort Worth with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Governor Greg Abbott also joined Paxton in showing support. Paxton highlighted the enthusiastic turnout at his earlier event in Allen and continued to encourage voter turnout.
Debate on Issues
During the rallies, Talarico critiqued Paxton for corruption and related it to affordability issues. Paxton, on his “Come and Take It” tour, portrayed himself as a protector of Texas values like Christianity and the energy sector, and accused Talarico of opposing these values.
Talarico has centered his campaign on Paxton’s legal controversies. In a recent CNN town hall, Talarico emphasized the impact of Paxton’s actions on Texas politics.
Fundraising Dynamics
Talarico holds a significant fundraising advantage in Tarrant County. His campaign received $730,047 from about 2,560 donors, far surpassing Paxton’s $304,148 from 570 donors. Talarico outperformed Paxton in most county ZIP codes in terms of both amount and number of donors.
In comparison, Paxton’s notable donations came from a few wealthy supporters, including large contributions from individuals like Seth Crawford and Gary Blake. These donations helped close the financial gap substantially.
Polling Insights
Recent polls indicate a tight race. A University of Houston poll showed Talarico leading by two percentage points, with notable Republican defections and a strong independent preference for Talarico. Similar figures emerged from CBS News/YouGov and other polls.
Paxton’s recent lead in one survey and former President Trump’s endorsement have contributed to his campaign’s momentum. However, the swing suburban areas remain a battleground.
Voter Participation and Strategic Importance
Early voting in Texas spans from October 19 to October 30, with Election Day set for November 3. Texas’s registered voter count has reached a record high of over 19 million.
The Senate race’s significance is underscored by Texas’s Republican-dominated history, with no Democrat winning a Senate seat since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988. The high stakes and extensive campaign expenditures reflect the critical nature of this election cycle.
VoteCasting dynamics in Tarrant County could provide insight into broader electoral trends. The race remains closely watched, as forecasters consider the contest a toss-up.