Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico on Friday released a campaign advertisement featuring an endorsement from Joe Joplin, an attorney who accused Republican opponent Ken Paxton of stealing a $1,000 Montblanc pen at the Collin County Courthouse in 2012.
The ad, titled “Talarico: He won’t steal your pen,” includes security footage allegedly showing Paxton, then a state senator, picking up the pen left near a courthouse metal detector. Joplin, who said the pen was a gift from his wife, told local news outlets in 2015 that he later retrieved the item after Paxton’s office returned it following a review by the Collin County Sheriff’s Office.
Key details from the ad and supporting materials:
- The incident occurred at the Collin County Courthouse in 2012, where Paxton was captured on security footage taking the pen.
- Joplin stated he did not press charges, calling Paxton’s return of the pen an act of goodwill.
- The ad concludes with Joplin endorsing Talarico, urging voters to support him because “He won’t steal your pen.”
Background: The Paxton pen incident and legal history
The 2012 courthouse incident has been cited in Texas political circles as emblematic of broader ethics concerns surrounding Paxton. In 2015, Paxton was indicted on two counts of first-degree securities fraud and one count of failing to register as an investment adviser, charges that were later dismissed in June 2025 after he completed a pretrial diversion agreement. The agreement required Paxton to pay approximately $300,000 in restitution, complete 100 hours of community service, and undergo legal ethics training.
Paxton’s campaign has previously stated that the pen was taken by mistake and returned after the sheriff’s office reviewed the footage. A spokesperson for Paxton did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the new advertisement.
The Senate race: Talarico and Paxton in a tight contest
Talarico and Paxton are competing in one of the most closely watched Senate races of the 2026 midterms, a contest that could determine control of the U.S. Senate. Recent polling shows the race is statistically tied, with some surveys indicating a narrow lead for either candidate. Prediction markets have shifted toward Talarico in recent days, reflecting growing uncertainty about the outcome.
Paxton, a longtime Republican figure in Texas, has faced intra-party divisions but has recently sought to unify GOP support. He has campaigned on tax deductions and appealed to Washington establishment figures, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who attended a recent fundraiser for Paxton. Despite these efforts, concerns remain among Republicans about fundraising and party unity heading into the general election.
Paxton’s Democratic opponent, Talarico, has framed the race as a referendum on ethics and accountability, pointing to the pen incident as evidence of Paxton’s ethical lapses. Talarico’s campaign did not respond to requests for additional comment on the advertisement.
What’s next in the race
The general election is scheduled for November 2026, with both campaigns expected to intensify their messaging in the coming months. The outcome could have significant implications for the balance of power in the U.S. Senate, where control may hinge on a handful of competitive races.