Senate race · 2026

Texas Senate Race

This election will determine who represents Texas in the U.S. Senate for a six-year term. The race is considered neck-and-neck, with Democrats attempting to flip the seat currently held by Republican Senator John Cornyn, who lost the primary to Ken Paxton.

All 2026 races

2 candidates · what each one campaigns on

Ken Paxton

Republican

Currently: Attorney General of Texas

Ken Paxton is the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate after defeating incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the primary.

Campaign platform

Tax Deductions for Texans
Proposes tax deductions for healthcare, housing, and family-related expenses to put thousands of dollars back into Texans' pockets.
EconomySource
Healthcare Cost Deduction
Advocates for a $25,000 deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses, including premiums, per individual, plus an additional $25,000 per dependent.
HealthSource
Housing Cost Deduction
Proposes a $50,000 tax deduction for first-time homebuyers and a $50,000 deduction on down payments for those moving to a new primary residence.
HousingSource
Border Security
Supports aggressive actions against President Biden's border policies, emphasizing stricter enforcement and securing the border.
ImmigrationSource
Economic Opportunity
Casts himself as a champion of economic opportunity who will lower taxes rather than raise them.
EconomySource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

James Talarico

Democratic

Currently: State Representative

James Talarico is a state lawmaker from Austin and the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate.

Campaign platform

Address Affordability Issues
Focuses on the rising costs of living, including housing, healthcare, and everyday necessities, as a central campaign theme.
EconomySource
Increase Minimum Wage
Advocates for increasing the minimum wage to help working Texans afford basic necessities.
EconomySource
Tax Breaks for Middle Class
Proposes rolling back tax breaks for the wealthy in favor of tax breaks for the middle class and small businesses.
EconomySource
Border Security Plan
Pitches a 'commonsense' plan for border security that prioritizes hiring more personnel.
ImmigrationSource
Target Political Corruption
Frames his Republican opponent as part of a corrupt political establishment that serves itself rather than the people.
DemocracySource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Platform items are drawn from candidates’ own campaign materials and public reporting, summarised neutrally. They are what a candidate says they will do — not a judgement about whether they will do it. Once a candidate is serving in Congress, their record moves to the The Informed Ballot profiles.