Texas Democrats push billionaire attack line as early vote hits record high

James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa delivered a coordinated message of fiscal accountability to nearly 3,200 attendees at the Espee amphitheater in San Antonio on Sunday. The two Democratic candidates, running for U.S. Senate and governor respectively, focused their final days of campaigning on a specific economic grievance: the influence of billionaire donors in state government.

The candidates argued that Republican control of state levers has prioritized wealthy interests over ordinary Texans. Hinojosa specifically targeted Governor Greg Abbott, labeling his policies a corruption tax that burdens small businesses while wealthy donors receive favorable treatment. She cited record bankruptcies and stagnant wages as evidence of this imbalance.

Talarico directed his criticism at U.S. Senator-elect Ken Paxton and the role of Elon Musk in the race. He noted that Musk donated $158 million to Paxton’s campaign, suggesting this money drove the attack ads and digital messages voters received. Talarico contrasted this funding model with his own, which he said relies on 1.6 million individual small donors.

The rally took place against a backdrop of shifting voter sentiment. President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have dropped, and inflation remains a primary concern for voters. These factors have placed the Democratic candidates in virtual ties with their Republican opponents, making voter turnout the deciding variable for the party’s chances of taking statewide offices.

Preliminary data indicates that early voting has reached record levels in Texas. Approximately 7.7 million Texans, or 40.5% of registered voters, have already cast ballots. This figure exceeds the early voting rates from the 2018 midterm election, when Beto O’Rourke challenged Ted Cruz for the Senate.

In Bexar County, the turnout numbers are closing in on historical highs. The county is currently 50,000 votes short of matching the 2024 presidential election turnout. It is also 15,523 ballots away from exceeding the total turnout recorded during the 2022 midterms.

Political scientists suggest that Democrats must replicate these high turnout numbers in key counties to win. Jon Taylor, a political science professor at UT San Antonio, stated that the party needs to flip Tarrant County, match 2024 turnout in Harris County, flip South Texas districts, and maintain high turnout in Bexar County. Local candidates for U.S. and Texas House seats are also reporting competitive races in districts that traditionally lean Republican.

The campaign team used the large crowd to project momentum. Hinojosa told the Current that San Antonio could be the deciding factor in the statewide outcome if voters continue to show up in large numbers. The event featured local performers and community displays, reinforcing the candidates’ message of grassroots support.