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U.S. Senate

U.S. Senate, Texas

November 3, 2026 · 12 statements · 2026.09.23-bd04c0cd

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  • The candidate list has not yet been checked against the certified state list.

Candidates

  • Warren Kenneth "Ken" Paxton Jr.

    Republican

    Sourced positions on 3 of 12

    Limited data. Sourced positions on fewer than 60 percent of the statements.

  • James Talarico

    Democratic

    Sourced positions on 9 of 12

Also on the ballot

  • Theodore E. "Ted" Brown Jr. Libertarian Not researched: below our published threshold

We research every Democratic or Republican nominee, every incumbent, and anyone who raised at least $50,000 (per the FEC) or reached 5 percent in a public poll. Methodology

Statements and positions

AgreeDisagreeNo clear position Select a position to see the evidence behind it.

Federal statements

EconomyNo. 01/12

The federal minimum wage should be raised above $7.25 an hour.

Background

The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 an hour since 2009. States and cities can set higher minimums, and many do.

Warren Kenneth "Ken" Paxton Jr. No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
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James Talarico Agree

$15 is not going to be enough

Press quote · Jul 1, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

TaxesNo. 02/12

Federal income taxes should be raised on households earning more than $400,000 a year.

Background

This would increase the federal income tax owed by the highest-earning households. Households below that income would not be affected by this change.

Warren Kenneth "Ken" Paxton Jr. Disagree

fight to cut taxes

Campaign or official site · Sep 22, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
Review
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James Talarico Agree

ensure the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share into Social Security by eliminating the tax cap on those earning over $400,000 a year

Campaign or official site · Sep 22, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.70)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Health careNo. 03/12

Federal premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans should be expanded.

Background

These subsidies lower the monthly cost of health plans bought on HealthCare.gov and state marketplaces. Expanding them would lower premiums for more buyers and increase federal spending.

Warren Kenneth "Ken" Paxton Jr. No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
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James Talarico Agree

reverse the Trump Administration's dangerous cuts to the ACA enhanced tax credits, Medicare, and Medicaid that will kick 15 million Americans off their insurance and raise premiums for millions more

Campaign or official site · Sep 22, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.75)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

ImmigrationNo. 04/12

Congress should fund more physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Background

This would pay for additional fencing or wall along the southern border. It concerns construction funding, not other kinds of border enforcement.

Warren Kenneth "Ken" Paxton Jr. Agree

help President Trump finish the border wall and protect our national sovereignty ... complete the construction of the border wall

Campaign or official site · Sep 22, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
High (0.80)
Review
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James Talarico Disagree

That's the most expensive contract for border wall construction in Texas history, and it's going to the least-trafficked section of the entire southern border and through one of the most sacred parts of Texas

Press quote · Jul 13, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
Review
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GunsNo. 05/12

Federal law should require background checks for all gun sales, including private sales.

Background

Federal law requires background checks for sales by licensed dealers but not for most sales between private individuals. This would extend the requirement to private sales.

Warren Kenneth "Ken" Paxton Jr. No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
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James Talarico Agree

Establish universal background checks for gun sales, prioritize the prosecution of firearms traffickers who are illegally flooding our communities with guns that get into the hands of criminals

Campaign or official site · Sep 22, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.75)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

AbortionNo. 06/12

Abortion laws should be set by each state rather than by Congress.

Background

Since the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision, each state sets its own abortion laws. Agreeing means Congress should not pass a national law that either expands or restricts access.

Warren Kenneth "Ken" Paxton Jr. No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
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James Talarico Disagree

Restore reproductive freedom with federal legislation to codify Roe v. Wade and protect access to contraception and IVF

Campaign or official site · Sep 22, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.75)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Energy and climateNo. 07/12

The federal government should expand oil and gas drilling on federal lands and waters.

Background

This concerns leases on land and offshore areas the federal government owns. It does not cover drilling on private or state land.

Warren Kenneth "Ken" Paxton Jr. No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
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James Talarico No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
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Energy and climateNo. 08/12

The federal government should limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.

Background

This would set federal limits on the carbon pollution power plants release. It concerns regulation by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency.

Warren Kenneth "Ken" Paxton Jr. No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
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Review
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James Talarico No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
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EconomyNo. 09/12

The U.S. should keep broad tariffs on imported goods.

Background

Tariffs are taxes paid on imported goods. Since 2025 the U.S. has applied tariffs to imports from most countries, and this statement is about keeping them in place.

Warren Kenneth "Ken" Paxton Jr. No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
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James Talarico Disagree

Repeal unnecessary tariffs and support responsible trade: Roll back the Trump Administration's tariff policies that are raising costs for American consumers and hurting Texas business owners, reject actions that risk escalating trade wars...

Campaign or official site · Sep 22, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.70)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Democracy and electionsNo. 10/12

Voters should have to show photo identification to vote in federal elections.

Background

Voter ID rules are set by each state today and vary widely. This would set one photo ID requirement for federal elections nationwide.

Warren Kenneth "Ken" Paxton Jr. No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
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James Talarico Disagree

I oppose voter ID – it's the law in Texas.

Interview or debate · Jul 13, 2021 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

With the SAVE [America] Act, they are trying to rob our neighbors, strictly our black neighbors, of those God given rights.

Press quote · Aug 17, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.65)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Public safetyNo. 11/12

A president should be able to send the National Guard into a state over its governor's objection.

Background

Governors normally command their state's National Guard, but federal law lets a president take control of it in some situations. Since 2025, the use of that power to send troops into cities has been challenged in court.

Warren Kenneth "Ken" Paxton Jr. No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review
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Know a source? Challenge with evidence.

James Talarico No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
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Foreign policyNo. 12/12

The U.S. should continue sending military aid to Ukraine.

Background

The U.S. has provided weapons and military funding to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion. This would keep that support going.

Warren Kenneth "Ken" Paxton Jr. Disagree

I'm going to start calling him 'Senator Ukraine,' because he's funding Ukraine more than he's funding our border, and that's a problem in Texas.

Interview or debate · Mar 18, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.70)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

James Talarico Agree

Ensure Ukraine remains free and independent: Support measures that enable America, Ukraine, and our European partners to negotiate from a position of strength to ensure Ukraine's long-term security, protect the stability of Europe, and hold Russia accountable...

Campaign or official site · Sep 22, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.70)
Review
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