Talarico calls Paxton “most corrupt” after runoff win

Texas state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Texas, wasted little time in setting the tone for the upcoming race following Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s runoff win Tuesday night. “Ken Paxton is the most corrupt politician in America. He embodies the broken system we’re running against. It’s time to come together: The People vs. Ken Paxton,” Talarico wrote on X just minutes after Paxton’s win was announced. “Three years ago, Ken Paxton was impeached by his own party for using his

public office to enrich himself, and his donors, at the expense of the people,” Talarico said in an accompanying video on X. “That kind of corruption is the rot at the core of this broken system.” The Republican candidate was quick to attack Talarico during his victory speech. “This campaign is not about red versus blue. It’s about so much more. My opponent is the most extreme radical the Democrats have ever nominated,” Paxton told the crowd. “The reality is James Talarico is going to

be nothing more than a Texas-faced puppet for Chuck Schumer and the national Democrats,” Paxton added. Paxton also thanked Donald Trump for his support, despite many Senate Republicans objecting to the president’s endorsement of Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. “When everyone in Washington told him to abandon me and abandon the people of Texas, he didn’t listen,” Paxton said. “Instead, he gave his complete and total endorsement. President Trump is the leader of our party, and his endorsement is the most powerful force in

politics.” President Donald Trump celebrated the win on his social media site, posting a graphic depicting himself and Paxton together with the words “Ken Paxton wins! Endorsed by President Trump!” Cornyn, for his part, said he would support Paxton in the general election following his loss. Numerous Republican senators had cautioned Trump against backing Paxton, with The New York Times reporting last Tuesday that many were “livid” at the president’s endorsement. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) told reporters at the Capitol last week that she was

“supremely disappointed” in the president’s decision, adding that propping up the scandal-ridden Paxton could cost the GOP a safe seat in the upper chamber. “I think that this puts that seat in jeopardy,” she said. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) had urged Trump to back Cornyn, whom he saw as a stronger candidate, the Times reported. “It’s his decision,” Thune told reporters last week while heading into the weekly GOP luncheon. Paxton has been plagued by scandal during his tenure as Texas’ attorney general.

He was impeached in 2023 for bribery, dereliction of duty, obstruction of justice and abuse of public trust related to accusations that he used his authority to help real estate developer Nate Paul. Although the Republican-led Texas House impeached Paxton by a vote of 121-23, he was later acquitted in the Texas State Senate.

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