Gina Hinojosa

President Trump traveled to Corpus Christi and Lubbock, Texas, to boost Ken Paxton's Senate bid against Democrat James Talarico, part of a final midterm push through traditionally Republican states. Texas has not elected a Democrat statewide in 32 years, but Talarico has gained traction amid Paxton's legal troubles. Elon Musk has poured significant money into stopping Talarico, a point Democrats are using to highlight wealthy influence in politics, echoing a parallel fight in the governor's race between Greg Abbott and Gina Hinojosa. Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined the trip, fueling speculation about his 2028 ambitions, while Vance and Trump also focus on tight races in Michigan and Alaska.

Wendy Alvarez, mother of Arlene Alvarez, a 9-year-old fatally shot in Houston in 2022, is demanding Gov. Greg Abbott's reelection campaign remove an ad featuring her daughter's photo. The ad shows Arlene's aunt, April Aguirre, discussing the killing while criticizing Democratic opponent Gina Hinojosa's positions on bail and policing. Alvarez says she never consented to her daughter's image being used politically, though Aguirre brought the photo and volunteered for the ad without payment, according to Abbott's campaign. The man convicted in Arlene's death was sentenced to 20 years for manslaughter in September 2025. Alvarez says the backlash has led her to pause efforts for "Arlene's Law."

Texas voters head to the polls with Republicans defending longtime dominance amid Democratic hopes fueled by opposition to President Trump. The marquee race pits Democratic state Rep. James Talarico against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate, with control implications for Trump's final two years. Gov. Greg Abbott faces an unexpectedly close challenge from state Rep. Gina Hinojosa despite a fundraising edge. Down-ballot, polling shows tight margins for lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, and a Railroad Commission seat. Democrats must flip 14 Texas House seats and four Senate seats for majorities. No Democrat has won statewide in Texas since 1994. Early voting runs through October 30.

Several top Texas Republicans running statewide in 2025 have declined to debate their Democratic challengers ahead of the general election. Attorney General Ken Paxton, facing state Rep. James Talarico in the U.S. Senate race, has repeatedly deflected debate offers, including proposals to appear on Fox News. Gov. Greg Abbott, who debated opponents in his three prior general elections, has not agreed to face state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, citing campaign travel instead. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has similarly avoided debating state Rep. Vikki Goodwin. The trend extends beyond Texas: The Washington Post found fewer than half of U.S. Senate races this cycle include debates, and in Arizona, Gov. Katie Hobbs is again skipping debates with her opponent.

Early voting is underway in Texas's midterms through Oct. 30, ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. Gov. Greg Abbott faces Democrat Gina Hinojosa, while in one of the most expensive nonpresidential races on record, Republican Ken Paxton battles Democrat James Talarico for U.S. Senate, with ad spending topping $442 million and Republicans outspending Democrats roughly three to one. Polls, including recent FOX News and New York Times/Siena surveys, have shown Talarico consistently ahead since September, raising the possibility Texas could elect a Democrat statewide for the first time since 1994. Trump made three campaign visits backing Paxton, who faces past fraud indictments and an impeachment acquittal. Prominent Texas attorney Thomas J. Henry, who had previously backed Paxton with a $600,000 super PAC donation, has now endorsed Talarico after meeting with him, a notable crossover in the closely watched contest.

Texas state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee challenging Gov. Greg Abbott, filed suit in Travis County seeking full access to emails between Abbott's office and Elon Musk. Abbott had previously released over 1,300 pages to a records request, but nearly all were redacted after his office cited exemptions including "intimate and embarrassing" content. Hinojosa, invoking a Texas law letting legislators inspect confidential records, argues Abbott is violating a mandatory legal duty; she has offered to keep the material confidential. Abbott's office calls the suit "baseless" and politically motivated. The dispute cites Musk's roughly $366 million in Republican election spending, including $500,000 to Abbott's campaign, as the November 3 election nears.

Texas state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for governor, filed suit Monday against Gov. Greg Abbott seeking unredacted copies of emails exchanged with Elon Musk. Hinojosa says Abbott's office has withheld records she requested under Texas public information law, alleging prior disclosures to media left most pages redacted or blacked out. Her suit cites extensive ties between Abbott and Musk, including political contributions, joint appearances, and economic-development incentives tied to SpaceX's Texas operations. Abbott's office called the lawsuit a politically motivated "stunt" from an outgoing lawmaker. The dispute surfaces as early voting begins in Texas's closely watched governor's race between Hinojosa and Abbott.

Texas's 2026 elections feature unexpectedly competitive statewide races, a rarity in a state no Democrat has won statewide since 1994. The marquee contest pits state Rep. James Talarico against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate, with control of the chamber and the final two years of President Trump's term potentially at stake. Gov. Greg Abbott faces a tighter-than-expected challenge from state Rep. Gina Hinojosa despite a large fundraising edge. A recent University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll showed Democrat Vikki Goodwin narrowly ahead of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Nathan Johnson slightly leading Mayes Middleton for attorney general, with all surveyed races within the margin of error. Republicans' new congressional redistricting plan will also be tested.