Texas Senate race spends $2 billion before Nov. 3 vote

The contest between James Talarico and Ken Paxton for a U.S. Senate seat has consumed $2 billion, making it the costliest nonpresidential election in American history.

With three days remaining until Election Day, Democratic supporters filled the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas for a joint rally. The event featured Talarico alongside Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic candidate challenging incumbent Governor Greg Abbott for the statehouse.

Hinojosa addressed the crowd regarding public education, healthcare, and economic power. She argued that residents must actively reclaim control over their state's trajectory. "Texas is a world economic powerhouse and it is the people of Texas who built that power. But the thing about power is that nobody is going to give it to us. We have to take it back. And that is what this is election is about, taking back that power," Hinojosa said.

Talarico, a former middle school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian, campaigned on affordability, immigration, and border security. He positioned himself as a multigenerational Texan running against a backdrop of political corruption. During his remarks, he described his opponents as fearful in the final stretch. "In the final days of this election they are coming at us with everything they’ve got," Talarico said. "They are scared. They are terrified. They see what we see. That we’re about to win this elections on November third."

Voters at the event cited economic anxiety and the state of democracy as primary motivators. Ralph Lopez, a Texas resident, stated that he believes current officials on the right prioritize themselves over constituents. "What I see with this current administration, a lot of them, especially on the right is it’s for them, it’s not for the people. I don’t see them going out to neighborhoods and too the people and asking their constituents what do you want what do you want to see," Lopez said.

Another attendee, Molina, identified the preservation of democracy as their top concern, while also noting persistent issues with gas prices and inflation. "My top concern is that we continue to be a democracy. That is my top concern. But in terms of other issues, gas is still expensive, inflation is still around," Molina said.

President Donald Trump made three trips to Texas this month to assist Paxton's campaign. The race concludes on November 3, marking the first opportunity since 1988 for a Democrat to win a statewide Senate election in Texas.