Trump makes last-minute push to keep Texas in Republican hands with third trip

The phrase means Republicans are trying to retain their statewide political dominance in Texas. The most immediate test is the US Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico. The governor’s race is also competitive, with Democrat Gina Hinojosa challenging Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.

Trump’s visits are designed to strengthen Republican candidates before the midterm election. He attacked Talarico as too liberal for Texas and promoted Paxton as a “good man.” Elon Musk has also funded efforts to stop Talarico, while Talarico argues that wealthy donors have corrupted Texas politics.

The stakes are unusually high because Democrats are seeking their first statewide election victory in more than three decades. Trump won Texas in 2024, but the article describes the current political environment as difficult for Republicans. A Democratic win would therefore signal a major shift in the state’s statewide contests.

Ken Paxton and James Talarico are the opposing candidates in Texas’s competitive US Senate campaign. Paxton is running as a Republican, while Talarico is running as a Democrat. Their race has become one of the central tests of Republican strength in Texas.

Trump has repeatedly appeared in Texas to support Paxton. He called Paxton a “good man” and used cultural issues to portray Talarico as too liberal for the state. Talarico has answered with attacks on a “broken, corrupt” political system and criticism of wealthy donors’ influence.

The contest matters beyond the candidates themselves. Democrats are trying to win their first statewide election in Texas in more than three decades. Republican control is also being tested in the governor’s race, where Gina Hinojosa is challenging Gov. Greg Abbott. Both races are drawing national attention and major spending.

Trump is returning to Texas because Republicans face an unusually strong challenge in a state they have dominated statewide. He is trying to prevent Democrats from winning their first statewide election there in more than three decades. His broader campaign strategy depends on mobilizing Republican voters who remain loyal to him.

In Texas, Trump appeared in Corpus Christi and Lubbock for Paxton. He portrayed Talarico as “lunatic left” and too liberal for Texas. He also praised Paxton as a “good man.” Trump highlighted Venezuela’s crude oil being processed in Texas refineries, adding an economic and energy theme to the campaign appearances.

The visits may help by attracting attention, reinforcing party loyalty, and keeping Paxton at the center of the Republican campaign. Trump has visited Texas three times in a month and is making similar stops around the country. The strategy is a test of whether his influence can overcome his broad unpopularity.

More than $563 million has been spent on advertising in the Texas Senate race between the primary and general elections. That figure makes the contest one of the most expensive in the country. The spending reflects the race’s national importance and the unusually competitive environment for Texas Republicans.

Elon Musk has contributed at least $158 million to efforts aimed at defeating Talarico. The money went to the Senate Leadership Fund, which then gave the same amount to the Texas PAC, the largest contributor to Paxton’s campaign. Musk has also attacked Talarico publicly on X, where he has 241 million followers.

Musk’s spending gives Republicans a major financial resource for advertising and campaign support. It also reinforces Talarico’s central message that wealthy donors have too much influence over politics. The large sums are likely to keep the race highly visible through the final days before next week’s midterm election.

A donor does not need to appear on the ballot to influence a Senate campaign. Wealthy supporters can provide money to political action committees, which then spend or distribute funds for political advertising and campaign activity. Those efforts can shape what voters hear and which candidates receive financial support.

The article gives Elon Musk’s contribution as a clear example. Musk gave at least $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund. That group then gave the same amount to the Texas PAC, which became the largest contributor to Paxton’s campaign. Musk also used X to attack Talarico directly.

This system allows a donor’s money and public influence to operate through organized political groups rather than through the candidate’s own campaign alone. It can dramatically increase a candidate’s reach. It also creates a political vulnerability, because Talarico argues that wealthy donations have corrupted politics and worsened the affordability crisis.

A Democratic victory would be historically significant because Democrats have not won a statewide election in Texas for more than three decades. The result would break a long Republican winning streak in statewide contests. It would also show that the state’s political environment has become much more competitive.

The Senate race provides the clearest example. Democrat James Talarico has gained ground while Republican Ken Paxton faces criticism over his history of ethical and legal problems. Talarico has focused on corruption, wealthy donors, and the affordability crisis. Paxton is receiving support from Trump and major outside spending linked to Elon Musk.

The result could shape how both parties view Texas in future elections. Trump is campaigning heavily because Republicans want to prevent the breakthrough. Democrats are treating the race as an opportunity to prove that strong candidates and an unfavorable Republican environment can overcome the state’s recent statewide history.

A US midterm election takes place partway through a president’s term, when voters choose congressional and other state-level officeholders rather than the president. These elections can judge the president’s party and reshape political control. The article focuses on Senate and governor contests, including Texas’s races.

Turnout matters because midterms usually depend heavily on which supporters actually vote. Trump’s campaign marathon is based on the idea that he remains influential among Republicans’ most loyal voters, even though he is broadly unpopular. His rallies are meant to energize that bloc and help Republican candidates such as Paxton.

The Texas race shows why this matters. Democrats are mounting an unusually competitive challenge, while Republicans are trying to protect a long statewide winning streak. If Trump can increase Republican participation, Paxton may benefit. If Democratic enthusiasm and turnout remain strong, Talarico could capitalize on the difficult political environment facing Republicans.