# Texas Senate 2026 Race: Paxton, Talarico, Brown

> Texas Senate candidates face tight race with Paxton leading on fundraising but Talarico polling ahead in key issues.
- Title: Texas Senate 2026 Race: Paxton, Talarico, Brown | Shortify
- Summary: Texas Senate candidates face tight race with Paxton leading on fundraising but Talarico polling ahead in key issues. Texas Republicans and Democrats compete…
- Keywords: texas, us senate, ken paxton, james talarico, ted brown, libertarian, senate race, 2026 election, campaign finance, federal gas tax, border security, medical gender transition
- Source: The Texas Tribune — https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17495837/talarico-paxton-texas-us-senate-2026-election-q-and-a
- Author: Gabby Birenbaum, María Méndez, Kayla Guo
- Published: 2026-10-13T10:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: texas, us senate, ken paxton, james talarico, ted brown, libertarian, senate race, 2026 election, campaign finance, federal gas tax, border security, medical gender transition
## Texas Senate 2026 Race
Republican Ken Paxton, Democrat James Talarico, and Libertarian Ted Brown compete for Texas' U.S. Senate seat in 2026 election.
## Polling Shows Tight Race
Polls put Paxton and Talarico neck to neck with slight edge for Talarico as he seeks party's first statewide win since 1994.
## Paxton's Campaign Finance
Paxton raised $14.3 million, spent $7.5 million, with $6.9 million cash on hand as of July 31, 2026.
## Talarico's Campaign Finance
Talarico raised $68.6 million, spent $47 million, with $21.5 million cash on hand as of July 31, 2026.
## Brown's Campaign Finance
Brown raised $12,667, spent $9,786, with $2,948 cash on hand as of September 30, 2026.
## Paxton's Policy Stance
Paxton opposes federal regulation of hemp products but has not directly answered questions on AI, border security, and medical gender transition.
## Talarico's Policy Stance
Talarico supports legalizing marijuana for adults, ending Iran war, and regulating data centers to protect water and utility costs.
## Brown's Policy Stance
Brown opposes federal regulation of cannabis, tariffs, and border walls, advocating for free trade and minimal government intervention.
## Border Security Debate
Talarico supports stopping border wall construction in Big Bend National Park while Paxton calls it 'not smart border security'.
## Medical Gender Transition
Paxton opposes medical gender transition care for minors, while Talarico supports child safety and Talarico opposes gender reassignment surgery for minors.
## Data Center Regulations
Paxton supports data center regulations to protect water and infrastructure, while Talarico wants to regulate AI data centers to protect water and utility costs.
## AI and National Security
Talarico supports AI kill switches and national security measures, while Brown opposes government regulation of AI due to potential risks.
## Tariffs and Trade
Talarico opposes Trump's tariffs, while Brown argues tariffs are unconstitutional and supports free trade.
## Federal Gas Tax
Talarico supports suspending federal gas tax to end Iran war, while Paxton supports permanent repeal of federal gas tax.
## Flock Cameras and Privacy
Talarico opposes warrantless surveillance with license plate readers, while Paxton has not directly answered.
## What Happens Next
The 2026 Texas Senate election will determine the next U.S. Senator for Texas with high stakes for national political balance.
## Key takeaway

Texas Republicans and Democrats compete for U.S. Senate seat with Paxton, Talarico and Brown running against each other in 2026 election.