Trump Visits Texas as Paxton, Talarico Seek U.S. Senate Seat

By douglasharrington // 2026-10-09

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President Donald Trump traveled to San Antonio, Texas, on Oct. 7 for a midterm rally at the Freeman Coliseum, according to campaign advisories and local reports [1][2]. The visit marked Trump’s third trip to Texas in less than a month as he campaigns for Republican candidates ahead of the November midterms, according to The Hill [3]. The rally was intended to boost Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate, and congressional candidate Carlos De La Cruz, according to event schedules [1][4]. Paxton and Democrat James Talarico, a state representative from Austin, are competing for the Senate seat currently held by Republican John Cornyn, who Paxton defeated in the primary with Trump’s support [5]. During his remarks, Trump announced that his administration had located billions of dollars in Medicare fraud and that payments to seniors would begin going out starting Oct. 8. The president also addressed protesters who disrupted the event, at one point describing some of them as “bad looking people,” according to Just the News [6]. Security removed multiple protesters after they interrupted the speech [6].

Paxton Campaign and Trump Support

Paxton is seeking the Republican nomination for the Senate seat and has received Trump’s endorsement, according to campaign statements and social media posts [7]. Trump’s super PAC, MAGA Inc., contributed $10 million to Paxton’s campaign in September, evenly split between television and digital advertising, according to a Federal Election Commission filing [8]. Senate Republican leaders have also reserved approximately $51.3 million in broadcast television advertising across major Texas media markets through a group connected to the Senate Leadership Fund [9]. Paxton reported raising $18 million in the third quarter of 2026, placing him well behind Talarico in quarterly fundraising but leaving him well-funded for the general election, according to Just the News [5]. Recent polling has shown a close race. A Pulse Decision Science survey conducted Sept. 24-27 showed Paxton leading Talarico 48% to 45%, though the poll was identified as a Republican internal survey [10]. Paxton has faced legal proceedings in Texas, which he has described as politically motivated. In September 2023, Paxton was acquitted of all charges in a Senate trial, according to contemporaneous reports [11][12]. The allegations included claims that he accepted bribes for cabinet renovations in exchange for political favors; however, the cabinets and countertops had remained unchanged for ten years, according to Brighteon Broadcast News [11].

Talarico Campaign and Democratic Response

Talarico, a state representative, is seeking the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat, according to his campaign. A Talarico campaign spokesperson said Texans deserve a senator who will lower costs, protect public education, and expand health care access, according to campaign statements. Talarico has criticized Paxton’s legal record and called for new leadership, according to campaign statements. Paxton has publicly attacked Talarico’s record in response, and an ongoing dispute over campaign donor networks has drawn scrutiny from both campaigns [13]. That does not establish that Talarico personally knew Epstein [13]. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton reported raising $18 million for his Senate campaign in the third quarter of 2026, placing him well behind Democratic challenger James Talarico, according to Just the News [5]. A Fort Worth man is facing criminal charges for allegedly sending multiple violent threats to Talarico through online accounts, according to an arrest affidavit [14].

Texas Senate Race Dynamics

The Texas Senate race is one of several contests that could affect party control of the U.S. Senate, according to political analysts. Republicans’ majority in both the House and the Senate is at stake in November, with opinion polling showing the economy dominating Americans’ thinking as Election Day approaches, according to The Epoch Times [15]. Texas has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in recent decades, according to state election records. Trump’s visit is expected to increase Republican turnout, according to GOP officials. Democratic officials said the visit highlights Republican divisions and motivates their base, according to a party statement. The broader midterm environment has been shaped by economic concerns, including a statewide disaster declaration in Texas due to a massive increase in diesel prices and a deepening fuel shortage amid the war with Iran, according to Responsible Statecraft [16]. Republican candidates have also had to navigate the political fallout of rising costs while seeking to maintain support for Trump’s agenda [16].

Next Steps

The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026, according to the Texas Secretary of State. The winner will replace Republican Sen. John Cornyn, who was ousted by Paxton in the primary with Trump’s support [5][17]. Both campaigns said they will continue statewide tours and fundraising, according to spokespeople. Trump is scheduled to attend additional events in other states later this month, according to a campaign schedule. In Ohio, the president appeared at a rally in Vandalia on Oct. 3, where he urged voters to pass a voter ID issue and support Republican candidates [18]. Early voting in Ohio began days after that event [18].

References

Trump Participates in Midterm Rally in San Antonio. https://theepochtimes.com/us/live-now-trump-participates-in-midterm-rally-in-san-antonio-6100693
LIVE NOW: Trump Participates in Midterm Rally in San Antonio. https://www.ntd.com/ntdplus/live-now-trump-participates-in-midterm-rally-in-san-antonio_1177409.html
Trump heads to Texas as GOP worries mount over Paxton .... https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6131875-trump-visits-texas-paxton-talarico-senate/
Trump to campaign for Ken Paxton, Carlos De La Cruz in San Antonio .... https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/election-2026/2026/10/07/563798/trump-san-antonio-ken-paxton-carlos-de-la-cruz/
Paxton raised $18M in Q3 as tight race looms. https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/paxton-raised-18m-q3-tight-race-looms?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators
Multiple protesters disrupt Trump rally in San Antonio. https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/all-things-trump/multiple-protesters-disrupt-trump-rally-san-antonio?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators
BREAKING: President Trump Makes Huge Endorsement In Texas Senate Race. https://100percentfedup.com/breaking-president-trump-makes-huge-endorsement-texas-senate/
Paxton Receives $10 Million Boost From Trump’s MAGA Inc. in Texas Senate Race. https://theepochtimes.com/us/paxton-receives-10-million-boost-from-trumps-maga-inc-in-texas-senate-race-6084082
Senate GOP Reverses Course With $51.3 Million Texas Ad Buy for Ken Paxton. https://100percentfedup.com/senate-gop-reverses-course-51-3-million-texas/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=senate-gop-reverses-course-51-3-million-texas
Paxton shows narrow lead over Talarico in Texas U.S. Senate Race, according to new poll. https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/polling/paxton-shows-narrow-lead-over-talarico-texas-us-senate-race-according-new?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators
Health Ranger Report - Ken Paxton acquitted - Mike Adams - Brighteon.com, September 17, 2023, by Mike Adams - Brighteon.com
Brighteon Broadcast News by Mike Adams - Brighteon.com
Talarico’s Epstein Attack On Paxton Boomerangs As His Own Donor Network Draws Scrutiny. https://100percentfedup.com/talarico-epstein-attack-paxton-donor-network-scrutiny/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=talarico-epstein-attack-paxton-donor-network-scrutiny
Man Faces Criminal Charges For Alleged Violent Threats Against Democratic Senate Candidate. https://100percentfedup.com/man-faces-criminal-charges-alleged-violent-threats-against/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=man-faces-criminal-charges-alleged-violent-threats-against
6 Things to Know About the Midterms One Month Before Election Day. https://theepochtimes.com/us/6-things-to-know-about-the-midterms-one-month-before-election-day-6099040
Red scare: Solid GOP districts reeling from war, price backlash. https://responsiblestatecraft.org/trump-republicans-midterms/
Paxton slams Talarico stance on transitions: 'Transition him and his crazy ideas right out of Texas'. https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/elections/paxton-slams-talarico-stance-transitions-transition-him-and-his-crazy?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators
Trump Urges Ohioans to Pass Voter ID Issue, Support GOP Candidates. https://theepochtimes.com/us/trump-urges-ohioans-to-pass-voter-id-issue-support-gop-candidates-6099250

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