Dallas – As early voting for the November 3 U.S. Senate race begins on Oct. 19, the anticipated debate between Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democrat State Rep. James Talarico looks increasingly unlikely. The Paxton campaign, which had been in talks with WFAA for weeks, stopped replying to media inquiries after Aug. 24.
Campaign statements and silence
In July, senior adviser Nick Maddux told reporters, “Of course, we are going to debate James Talarico and we look forward to engaging with potential debate hosts.” He added that Talarico is “a serial liar who has spent his entire campaign shamelessly deceiving Texas voters about his radical record without answering the hard questions.” Since that statement, neither Maddux nor deputy communications director Madison Cercy has answered follow‑up requests for comment.
Why a debate may not happen
Political observers note that Paxton has historically avoided debates. Matthew Wilson, associate professor of political science at SMU, said Paxton’s “reluctance to face direct questions about his past ethical lapses and marital infidelities” makes a live debate risky for the incumbent. Wilson added that many voters do not watch senatorial debates, so an advertising blitz may be a more effective way for Paxton to convey his message.
Republican campaign consultant Vinny Minchillo argued that a debate could still benefit Paxton, allowing him to “deliver a truckload of hits on Talarico” and reinforce the stakes of a Republican loss in the Senate. Minchillo cautioned, however, that a side‑by‑side format would likely favor Talarico, who is “media savvy” and adept at delivering sound‑bite‑friendly remarks.
Historical context
Every Texas Senate race since 2002 has featured at least one debate before the general election, including recent contests between Colin Allred and Ted Cruz in 2024 and John Cornyn and M.J. Hegar in 2020. Yet WFAA could find no record of Paxton participating in any debate since his first statewide run in 2014.
Democratic consultant Matt Angle of The Lone Star Project suggested that Paxton’s team may be “hiding” him from a direct showdown, fearing that a side‑by‑side appearance would portray Paxton as “the brother‑in‑law or son‑in‑law that nobody likes,” while Talarico would appear as a relatable family figure.
Polling snapshot
Recent polls, though only a momentary snapshot, show Paxton trailing Talarico by a few points – a rare occurrence for a Texas Republican in a statewide contest. These numbers mark the first time in decades that a Texas Democrat has led a Republican in such a race.
Early voting begins Oct. 19, and Election Day is Nov. 3. Voters should watch for any last‑minute announcements from the Paxton campaign regarding a debate or other voter‑engagement events.
Original reporting: WBAP News/Talk (Dallas-Fort Worth) — read the source article.
