Overview
- President Trump posted late Wednesday on Truth Social calling Democratic nominee James Talarico “MISSING IN ACTION” and demanding he immediately debate Republican Ken Paxton.
- Media reports say Talarico has the flu and has scaled back public appearances, which Paxton’s campaign seized on to accuse him of avoiding voters.
- Axios and other outlets have published multiple leaked audio reports about Paxton that include private comments on the Iran war and gas prices, raising fresh scrutiny of his campaign.
- Republican outside groups and a major Texas PAC have accelerated ad buys and other support for Paxton as national Republicans show mixed backing for his candidacy.
- The race has shifted from safely Republican to competitive, with Talarico reporting fundraising strength and Texans confronting the rare prospect of a Democratic U.S. Senate victory after more than three decades.