Texas state Rep. James Talarico raised a record $27 million in the first quarter of 2026. The Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate made the disclosure during a May 27 interview on MSNBC with Lawrence O'Donnell while describing how some Trump voters approach him at rallies and whisper their support like they are in the witness protection program.
Talarico faces Republican nominee Ken Paxton in November after both cleared their primary fields. Paxton defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the May 26 runoff with 63.8 percent of the vote.
Talarico Posts Record Senate Fundraising
The $27 million total stands as the largest sum raised by any Senate candidate in the first quarter of an election year. Talarico's campaign reported the figure in April filings that highlighted strong small-dollar and donor enthusiasm across Texas.
That war chest gives the Democrat resources to compete in a state where Republicans have held the Senate seat since 1993. The money funds television, digital outreach and field operations aimed at independents and first-time voters who have turned out in large numbers at his events.
Primary Results Clear the General Election Field
Talarico secured the Democratic nomination on March 3 with 53.2 percent of the vote, defeating U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett. Paxton then dispatched Cornyn in the Republican runoff one day before Talarico's MSNBC appearance.
| Candidate | Primary Result | Date |
|---|---|---|
| James Talarico (D) | 53.2% | March 3, 2026 |
| Jasmine Crockett (D) | Runner-up | March 3, 2026 |
| Ken Paxton (R) | 63.8% | May 26, 2026 runoff |
| John Cornyn (R) | Runner-up | May 26, 2026 runoff |
The victories set up a contest between two candidates with sharply different profiles. Talarico, a state representative known for education advocacy, now confronts Paxton, the former attorney general who built his career on conservative legal fights.
