Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico on Thursday alleged that his Republican opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, is canceling campaign rallies due to poor attendance. Talarico made the claim during a CNN interview, stating, "Ken Paxton is canceling rallies because nobody is showing up."
Paxton’s campaign attributed the cancellation of a November 1 event in El Paso to scheduling and logistics, according to a statement. The event was planned at the Orca Event Center, which has a capacity of 130 people. Talarico, a former teacher and state representative, is seeking to become the first Texas Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate since 1988, when Lloyd Bentsen won the seat.
Five of six recent polls show Talarico with a narrow lead over Paxton, though all remain within the margin of error. The race is viewed as critical for both parties ahead of the November midterms, with Democrats aiming to flip the Senate from Republican control.
Campaign Funding and Strategy
Talarico’s campaign reported raising $64 million from July through September, more than triple Paxton’s $18 million haul over the same period. Since launching his bid, Talarico has raised over $146 million, while Paxton has benefited from over $200 million in outside support, primarily from Elon Musk, and an additional $33.7 million from MAGA Inc., a super PAC aligned with former President Donald Trump.
At a Dallas rally on Thursday, Talarico framed the race as a David vs. Goliath contest, telling supporters, "Dallas, you are my slingshot. The people of Texas are my slingshot." He has also highlighted Paxton’s reliance on AI bots and wealthy donors, stating, "He can't recruit volunteers, so he uses AI bots. He doesn't have any grassroots donors."
Contrasting Rally Attendance
Newsweek reviewed photographs and videos from recent rallies for both candidates. Paxton’s October 28 event at the Arc Light Bar & Grill in San Angelo was attended by a small group, with reports suggesting fewer than 50 attendees. In contrast, Talarico’s events have drawn larger crowds, including one gathering described as having "a lot of Talafreakos in one room," a reference to his supporters.
Paxton’s campaign has not directly addressed Talarico’s allegations but has emphasized logistical challenges in organizing events. The race remains highly competitive, with both sides emphasizing grassroots engagement and financial backing as key factors in the final weeks before Election Day.