OPINION:
James Talarico and Ken Paxton are in a “deadlocked” race for the U.S. Senate seat up for grabs in Texas. James Talarico continues to “edge out” Ken Paxton in Senate race. A new poll shows Democrat James Talarico “leading” Ken Paxton in race to U.S. Senate. Those are all recent headlines — and those are all deceptive headlines.
Fact is, Paxton is only beginning his campaign now. And the reason he’s only beginning to campaign now is that he only had to begin his campaign now.
Up until a few months ago, who knew of James Talarico?
Yes, he was a Texas state representative. Yes, he was a teacher and a preacher. But until he stepped into the U.S. Senate race, his brand recognition was confined to his local community.
Paxton, on the other hand, possesses more than two decades in politics, including a long-running tenure as attorney general of a state that has set him at the forefront of the national battles over border control and immigration policies and election integrity and more.
In 2020: “AG Paxton Sues Battleground States for Unconstitutional Changes to 2020 Election Laws,” one headline from the Texas AG’s office read.
In 2021: “Texas Supreme Court Sides with Paxton Regarding Ban on Mask Mandates,” another headline from the Texas AG’s office read.
In 2023: “Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton acquitted on all 16 articles of impeachment,” The Texas Tribune reported.
He’s faced impeachment. He’s faced moral and ethical accusations that have dotted headlines all over the country.
“Ken Paxton has survived years of scandals,” PBS wrote in July.
And from the same story: “Four years ago, George P. Bush went after Paxton by putting up billboards that said ’he’s a crook’ next to his mugshot from when he was charged with securities fraud. And earlier this year, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said ’judgment day is coming’ as he tried to fend off a Republican primary challenge from Paxton.”
As PBS noted, “All of them lost.”
But the bigger takeaway now is: Name recognition.
Up until September 2025, when Talarico made his announced run for the U.S. Senate and began to seek the Democrat Party’s primary win, nobody knew him; nobody knew his name. After he won the primary, Democrats had to pour money into his campaign because he needed to get some name recognition.
He’s raised over $70 million.
He’s made national media waves.
He’s nearing household name status now, at least among the households with members who pay attention to politics and the midterms.
But Paxton didn’t have to spend money to achieve the same recognition.
He didn’t have to spend his summer months knocking on doors, making appearances on media, engaging in fund drives and spearheading fundraising events, telling voters his platforms and policies and agendas. Everybody already knew him. Everybody already knows his policies.
Now that summer’s over and kids are back in school and voters are actually waking up to the notion that November is election time, Paxton is joining the campaign trail.
And with barely a step — this: “Trump delivers $10 million to Ken Paxton in first major contribution of midterms,” CBS News wrote. And this: “Elon Musk’s super PAC starts spending to boost Ken Paxton in Texas,” The Texas Tribune wrote.
Wait a few weeks and watch the polls and surveys and narratives shift.
Talarico’s so-called tight race will turn Not So Tight.
Paxton’s campaign was smart to save the money, save the energy, and ride out the summer.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on X @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter and podcast by clicking HERE. Her latest book, “God-Given Or Bust: Defeating Marxism and Saving America With Biblical Truths,” is available by clicking HERE.
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