James Talarico and Ken Paxton clash over Texas Senate

Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton are competing for a US Senate seat in Texas on November 3 in a race that could help decide control of Congress.

Talarico, a 37-year-old former teacher, state lawmaker and aspiring Presbyterian minister, has built his campaign around progressive politics, Christian teaching and appeals for political unity. He supports abortion rights and greater economic equality, criticises Christian nationalism and has opposed government-backed religious displays in public schools.

Paxton, the 63-year-old Texas attorney general, is a close ally of President Donald Trump and a prominent figure in the Make America Great Again movement. He has used his office to challenge Democratic administrations and progressive policies, including on immigration, abortion access and environmental regulation.

Paxton also supported Trump's attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat. He presents his politics as a defence of traditional morality and biblical principles, including support for religious displays and prayer in classrooms.

The contest has become unexpectedly competitive in Texas, where no Democrat has won statewide office since 1994. Talarico defeated congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary, while Paxton beat four-term incumbent senator John Cornyn in a Republican primary runoff after Trump endorsed him.

Paxton's career has survived repeated controversies. The Republican-controlled Texas House impeached him in 2023 over allegations of corruption and abuse of power, but the state Senate acquitted him. Long-running securities fraud charges were resolved without an admission of wrongdoing under an agreement requiring restitution and community service. Paxton denies wrongdoing and says his troubles are attempts by establishment figures to destroy him.