Talarico pushes Paxton for a debate in Texas Senate race
Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico challenged Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton to debate on TMZ. Talarico mocked Paxton’s “Low-T” insult and said his opponent had repeatedly declined debate invitations, while Paxton said he was open to a debate but wanted to avoid a CNN moderator. The contest is for the Senate seat held by John Cornyn, whom Paxton defeated in the primary.
Talarico, the Democrat running for U.S. Senate in Texas, used a TMZ interview to propose that the outlet moderate a matchup with Attorney General Ken Paxton. He said Paxton had spurned earlier debate requests and invoked the Republican’s ad that questioned his masculinity. Paxton told TMZ he might debate but objected to a CNN moderator; Talarico replied that he had also proposed Fox News.
The race is for the seat held by Sen. John Cornyn, whom Paxton beat in a primary runoff after President Trump endorsed Paxton. Trump later criticized Cornyn and Karl Rove for insufficient support, while Cornyn warned that Paxton’s controversies could jeopardize the GOP’s hold on the seat.
For Texas voters, the dispute could affect how much direct candidate comparison they get before November, particularly for people who rely on televised or online forums. It may also draw more attention to media hosting choices and to Paxton’s controversies, which could influence turnout and perceptions of the Senate race’s stakes. The effects may vary by audience and remain uncertain.