Texans vote for Senate in race Al Jazeera calls costliest in US history
Republican Ken Paxton faces Democrat James Talarico, who led two final polls by 5.9 and 7 points, according to Newsweek.
Texans voted on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in a US race between Republican Ken Paxton, the state's , and Democrat James Talarico, a state representative. Al Jazeera reports that at least $573.2m has gone into supporting the two candidates, which makes it the most expensive Senate race in US history. A New York Times analysis, cited by Al Jazeera, estimates that Elon Musk has spent at least $212m on Paxton and says that figure is likely an undercount.
Two final polls gave Talarico leads of 5.9 and 7 percentage points, though Newsweek says neither result makes victory certain. Paxton defeated Sen. John Cornyn for the Republican nomination after President Donald Trump endorsed him. A Talarico win would make him the first Democrat to win statewide office in Texas since 1994.
Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control of the Senate. Both candidates held closing events on Monday, Talarico in Austin and Paxton in Allen. At his rally, the Daily Mail reports, Talarico labeled Paxton "the most corrupt politician in Texas history."
Paxton told supporters, "Texas has never been this close to slipping away," according to Newsweek.
- $573.2m at least, spent supporting both candidates — Al Jazeera English
- $212m at least, from Elon Musk for Paxton, per a New York Times estimate — Al Jazeera English
- $155m raised by Talarico, against $40m for Paxton — Al Jazeera English
- 5.9 and 7 percentage points Talarico's leads in two final polls — Newsweek
- four seats net gain Democrats need for Senate control — Newsweek
Three sides of the story
Liberal1 outlet
record money and voters uneasy about it
Al Jazeera leads with the money, calling the race "the most expensive in United States history" with at least $573.2m behind the two candidates. Musk's spending for Paxton sits at the center. A New York Times analysis, as Al Jazeera cites it, puts that figure at no less than $212m and says it is likely an undercount because of "dark money."
Al Jazeera adds that Talarico has outraised Paxton, $155m to $40m, and that Paxton is the largest beneficiary of money. Voters carry the story. Union sheet metal worker Rico Sanchez says "That kind of money is being spent on the wrong stuff," and Kasey Blanco calls it "kind of scary."
Other voters bring up groceries, the cost of living and Trump's campaign. The report describes Talarico pointing to Paxton's past corruption allegations as attorney general and to Musk's spending. It says Paxton's campaign has repeatedly cited the 1836 Texas Revolution, and quotes him: "If Texas falls, we don't have another Texas to move to."
- Al Jazeera English: Texans vote in most expensive Senate race in US history
Center1 outlet
closing rallies, final polls and what to watch
Newsweek opens with the closing events. Talarico spoke at Stubb's BBQ in Austin and Paxton at a restaurant in Allen, 220 miles away. A statement from Talarico's campaign put attendance at about 1,800, while the Dallas Morning News said "hundreds."
No official crowd estimate from Paxton's campaign had been released. Newsweek lays out the stakes: Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate edge, and Democrats need a net gain of four seats. It reports that two final polls gave Talarico leads of 5.9 and 7 percentage points, adding that neither result makes victory certain.
It lists AtlasIntel at 51.3 to 45.4, New York Times/Siena at 50 to 43, and Data for Progress at 49 to 45. It quotes Talarico, "Austin, we are in that moment," and Paxton, "Texas has never been this close to slipping away." It closes with polling hours and the Travis and Collin county results to watch.
Conservative1 outlet
Talarico's bar-patron jab at Paxton in Austin
The Daily Mail leads with Talarico likening Paxton to an "obnoxious" bar patron at a packed rally in Austin. It quotes his routine, ending "That's Ken Paxton," and "I am done picking up his tab!" It describes Paxton as having "a handful of corruption scandals" and being by his own party.
It notes Trump endorsed him over Sen. John Cornyn, and that late polls showed him trailing by 7 points. The report has Talarico calling Paxton "the most corrupt politician in Texas history" and citing Musk's gift of at least $168 million. Nervous Democrats supply the mood.
Retiree David Marchman says he is "very hopeful, but I am not overconfident," and student Ben Webb says "Win or lose, we booze." The piece recalls that Beto O'Rourke came within 2.6 points of Ted Cruz in 2018.
Which side made the stronger case?
All sources: 3 articles from 3 outlets
Liberal (1)
- Al Jazeera English: Texans vote in most expensive Senate race in US history
Center (1)
Conservative (1)
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