The key facts

  • Elections on November 3, 2026: Democrat James Talarico versus Republican Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate seat from Texas
  • Talarico bets on a 'politics of love' and progressive Christianity, Paxton on confrontation and traditional morality
  • In May, Paxton defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn by a margin of 28 percentage points after Trump's endorsement

A Competitive Race in a Traditionally Republican State

On November 3, 2026, U.S. Senate elections will be held in Texas, which, according to AFP, could affect control of Congress. Democrat James Talarico, a 37-year-old former teacher and future Presbyterian minister, will face 63-year-old Republican Ken Paxton, the attorney general of Texas, whose loyalty to Donald Trump helped him survive years of scandals. The race has proven unexpectedly competitive in a state where no Democrat has won a statewide election since 1994.

Talarico: A 'Politics of Love' and Progressive Christianity

Talarico, a former middle school teacher and nonprofit director, was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2018 and gained national prominence through speeches combining progressive politics, biblical motifs, and criticism of wealthy elites. He stated: 'I will always put Texas above any political party.' As a seminarian of the Presbyterian church, he relies on the commandment to love one's neighbor, arguing that faith requires compassion for the poor, immigrants, and marginalized communities. He criticizes Christian nationalism and opposes state-sponsored religious displays in public schools. His platform combines support for abortion and greater economic equality with an appeal to voters weary of partisan strife. A two-hour appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast in 2025 introduced him to an audience beyond traditional Democratic circles. At the same time, his progressive theology drew sharp criticism from religious conservatives, especially on issues of abortion and LGBT rights. His statement that God is 'non-binary' was called blasphemy, and his more cautious recent rhetoric on transgender issues raised questions among some of his supporters. Talarico tried to broaden his support by defending Texas's oil industry and criticizing certain immigration policies of Joe Biden. In the primary, he defeated the more hardline Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, promising a 'politics of love.' Pastor Jim Rigby, who baptized Talarico and married his parents, remembers him as a 'soothing presence' ever since church preschool.

Paxton: MAGA, Legal Battles, and Scandals

Paxton, a lawyer educated at Baylor University and the University of Virginia, entered the Texas legislature in 2003 and became state attorney general in 2015, turning the office into an instrument of legal warfare against Democratic administrations and progressive initiatives. His lawsuits against immigration policy, abortion access, environmental regulations, and the Biden administration made him an idol of the conservative base. He supported Trump's attempts to challenge the outcome of the 2020 election. Like Talarico, Paxton places religion at the center of politics, but advocates a different vision of Christianity — traditional morality and the defense of a country founded, in his view, on biblical principles. In 2025, he declared: 'In Texas classrooms, we want the Word of God to be open, the Ten Commandments displayed, and prayers offered.' His career has repeatedly been shaken by scandals: in 2023, the Republican-controlled state House of Representatives impeached him on charges of corruption and abuse of power, but the state Senate acquitted him. A long-running securities fraud case ended without an admission of guilt in a settlement that provided for restitution and community service. His marriage recently fell apart amid accusations of infidelity, and new reports raised questions about his ties to wealthy donors and businessmen. Paxton denies wrongdoing and portrays his legal and political troubles as attempts by the establishment to destroy him. Supporters largely remain loyal to him, valuing his willingness to fight for their political interests over questions about his personal conduct.

Trump's Endorsement and the Rout of Cornyn

In May, Paxton, with Trump's backing, defeated four-term incumbent Senator John Cornyn by a margin of 28 percentage points in the Republican primary runoff. AFP calls this vivid evidence of how deeply the Trump movement has reshaped Republican politics in Texas. Thus, on November 3, the state's voters will see two starkly contrasting political figures: one preaches love and reconciliation, the other bets on confrontation and uncompromising conservatism — and both appeal to Christianity.