The Midterm Editor's note: This page was last updated October 27, 2026. Election rules, candidate fields, and poll numbers change; confirm the latest details with the linked official source before you vote.
Ken Paxton at a glance
Quick facts
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Party | Republican |
| Office sought | U.S. Senate, Texas |
| Current office | Texas Attorney General (since 2015) |
| Official bio | Texas Attorney General |
| Campaign website |
Biography
Paxton has been Texas attorney general since 2015. The attorney general is the state's top lawyer. The office represents Texas agencies and defends state laws in court.
Before winning that post, he served in the Texas Senate. A U.S. Senate seat would put him on the federal side of many of the fights he now handles for Texas in court: the chamber votes on federal judges, spending, and immigration law.
Policy positions
This section describes the federal issues a Texas senator votes on and points to Paxton's campaign for his own positions. We do not put a specific position in a candidate's mouth without a source.
The economy and jobs
Pew Research Center's September 28–October 4, 2026 survey found that 84 percent of voters call the economy very important to their vote, making it the top issue nationally. The Senate votes on federal spending, taxes, and trade. Paxton's campaign is the source for his own economic proposals.
Immigration and the border
Border enforcement is a federal responsibility, and senators vote on funding for border agencies and on immigration law. Paxton's campaign is the source for his own immigration proposals.
Abortion
Abortion law is now set mainly by states, but the Senate votes on federal legislation and on judicial nominees. Paxton's campaign is the source for his own position.
Health care
The Senate votes on Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act. Paxton's campaign is the source for his own health-care proposals.
Elections and the rule of law
Attorneys general often litigate election rules, and senators vote on federal election law. Paxton's campaign is the source for his own position.
The 2026 race
Paxton faces Democrat James Talarico, a Texas House member since 2019 and a former teacher. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, and the Texas voting guide lists the deadlines that come first.
The seat matters beyond Texas. Republicans hold 53 Senate seats and Democrats hold 47, so Democrats need a net gain of four to reach 51. That math puts a handful of states on every national watch list, and Texas is one of them.
For voters, the practical questions are the ones that decide most Senate races: prices, immigration, abortion, and which party sets the agenda. Our Texas Senate race hub tracks the matchup, the people desk lists the candidates, and the Senate hub tracks the majority.
Polls and money
This profile does not publish poll numbers because we have not verified a specific survey for this race. Polling averages change daily; see the 270toWin Senate tracker.
Campaign finance figures change with each filing. The Federal Election Commission publishes reports at fec.gov.
Endorsements
No endorsements are listed on this page. Endorsements are listed as they are announced; see the campaign website. We name the endorser when the campaign or a major outlet confirms one.
Controversies and scrutiny
Paxton's legal record has been part of his public profile for years. In 2015, a Texas grand jury indicted him on state securities-fraud charges; he pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. In 2023, the Texas House impeached him on corruption and abuse-of-office allegations, and the Texas Senate acquitted him. In 2024, he reached a pretrial agreement in the securities-fraud case.
This profile lists only items confirmed by a court record or a major outlet. The public record is covered by the Texas attorney general's office, the Texas Tribune, and the Associated Press, all linked below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Ken Paxton been attorney general?
He has served as Texas attorney general since 2015. Before that, he served in the Texas Senate.
What party is Ken Paxton?
Republican. He is the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas.
What does Ken Paxton stand for?
His campaign materials are the source for his issue positions. This profile describes the federal issues the Senate handles and does not paraphrase a position without a sourced statement.
Is Ken Paxton running for Senate in 2026?
Yes. He is running in Texas against Democrat James Talarico. Election Day is Nov. 3, 2026. See the Texas Senate race hub for the full matchup.
Sources
- Texas Attorney General — official office site. Accessed Oct. 27, 2026.
- Associated Press — wire coverage. Accessed Oct. 27, 2026.
- Texas Tribune — state politics coverage. Accessed Oct. 27, 2026.
- 270toWin: 2026 Senate elections. Accessed Oct. 27, 2026.
- Federal Election Commission — campaign finance filings. Accessed Oct. 27, 2026.
Last updated October 27, 2026. This profile is updated as sourced information becomes available.