Fundraising, a border tour and fresh attacks marked another week in the matchup between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton.
By Philip Jankowski,
Dallas Morning News
https://www.dallasnews.com/
AUSTIN – A look at major developments from the past week in the Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico.
Fundraising race widens
Talarico, a state representative from Austin, announced that his campaign raised $30 million during the second quarter, more than triple the $9 million reported by Paxton, the attorney general.
It marked Talarico’s largest fundraising quarter after previously announcing $27 million in the first three months of the year. Paxton’s total was his strongest quarter, with most donations coming after he defeated Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP runoff in late May.
Talarico said the fundraising reflects support for his push to lower costs and fight corruption. Paxton’s campaign said the donations show enthusiasm to send “a proven conservative fighter” to Washington.
Cruz warns Republicans the race is tight
Sen. Ted Cruz, on Sean Hannity’s radio show, warned Republicans not to underestimate Talarico, saying the Democrat has “a real chance” to flip the seat.
“It’s going to be close,” Cruz said on the program, guest-hosted by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Cruz acknowledged Talarico’s appeal, saying he is charming, affable and “sounds like a preacher.” But Cruz said some voters may not know about policy positions he called too extreme.
He predicted that Paxton would prevail, and Abbott agreed, saying Talarico “is going to be very beatable once Texans get to know who he really is.”
Talarico launches border tour
Talarico kicked off a 750-mile “Frontera Tour” in El Paso before more than 700 supporters, with stops planned across border communities through Wednesday.
The tour will feature town halls, church visits and policy announcements focused on communities Talarico said have been overlooked by both parties.
After Saturday’s event in El Paso, Talarico said he supports “comprehensive immigration reform,” including a secure border while allowing immigrants who have lived in the country “for years and decades” to “come out of the shadows and contribute to our communities.”
“We want an immigration system that reflects our values, both as a nation of law and as a nation of immigrants,” he said, according to the El Paso Times.
AG records at center of dispute
Talarico said Paxton’s office denied his campaign’s request for records related to its prosecution of former Waco attorney Adam Hoffman, who was accused of sexually abusing a young boy.
Talarico vowed to build bipartisan support to pressure the office to release the material.
The AG’s office negotiated the plea deal in which Hoffman pleaded guilty to reduced charges. He served 29 days in jail earlier this year and was not required to register as a sex offender in Texas.
“If there’s nothing to hide, then the attorney general should feel comfortable releasing this information,” Talarico said.
Prosecutors have defended their actions, saying Hoffman’s first trial ended in a hung jury and the child victim did not want to testify again.
Austin Bureau
Philip Jankowski has covered government, politics and criminal justice in Texas for 17 years. He previously worked for the Austin American-Statesman, the Killeen Daily Herald and the Taylor Press. Philip is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.
