Candidates Talarico and Paxton Hold Competing Rallies in Tarrant County

Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton engaged in direct competition in Tarrant County on Monday, organizing rallies in Fort Worth as Texans began voting in one of the country’s most competitive Senate races. Tarrant County has been politically volatile over the last decade. In 2018, former Representative Beto O’Rourke narrowly won it during his Senate run against Senator Ted Cruz, the last such Democratic victory. In the 2020 presidential election, Joe Biden narrowly edged out Donald Trump in the county, but Trump reclaimed it in 2024, defeating Kamala Harris. Both campaigns see Tarrant County as crucial for their success.

Rally Locations for Talarico and Paxton

On Monday, both Talarico and Paxton held rallies in Fort Worth as they traveled across Texas in advance of Election Day. Talarico, a state representative from Austin, held a rally at the University of North Texas in Denton at 1 p.m. before heading to North Crowley High School in Fort Worth, where doors opened at 6 p.m. His “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts” tour, which started in Plano on Sunday, will continue through various Texas cities before concluding in Austin on November 2.

Paxton, serving as the state attorney general, also gathered supporters in Fort Worth at 7 p.m., accompanied by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Starting his day in Allen, Paxton engaged audiences in several Texas cities over the weekend. Governor Greg Abbott was also scheduled to join him in Fort Worth on Monday.

During his Fort Worth appearance, Paxton criticized Talarico over issues including oil, gas, and gender. In contrast, Talarico focused on economic concerns and accused Paxton of corruption, stating, “We are running against the most corrupt politician in Texas.” Their campaign narratives provide contrasting messages, with Paxton promoting traditional Texas values and Talarico addressing political divisions and Paxton’s controversies.

Talarico’s Fundraising Advantage in Tarrant County

Talarico has developed a substantial fundraising lead over Paxton in Tarrant County. From July to September, Talarico raised $730,047 from about 2,560 county donors, while Paxton gathered $304,148 from around 570 donors. Talarico outpaced Paxton in most county ZIP codes, securing more donations from areas generally leaning Republican.

While Paxton’s support is scattered and limited, his allies wrote significant checks to bolster his campaign. The largest contribution to Paxton’s joint fundraising committee came from Seth Crawford, who donated $274,300. Despite these contributions, Talarico enjoys a broader base of small donors in Tarrant County.

Current Polling and Election Context

Recent polling shows Talarico slightly ahead. A University of Houston Hobby School survey found Talarico leading Paxton 48% to 46%. Other October polls depict similar tight races, with Talarico often having a marginal lead. Both candidates are focusing heavily on suburban areas, which could prove decisive in this election cycle.

Early voting began on October 19 and runs until October 30. Texas has a record number of registered voters for this election. The Senate race in Texas is crucial as it presents a rare opportunity for Democrats to challenge the Republican majority. Following a difficult primary, Paxton received an endorsement from Trump yet faces significant competition from Talarico in this costly and closely watched race.