Paxton vs. Talarico, Side by Side: The Record on the Border, Energy and Your Taxes
Texas is voting now, and the Senate majority may ride on it. We set Ken Paxton and James Talarico next to each other on three big issues, using their votes, their plans and their own words.
By Clara Hughes
ALTAS WORLD NEWS OPINION | SIDE BY SIDE | By Clara Hughes, Chief Opinion Editor | 7-min read Altas World News side-by-side contrast. Altas World News is independent and not affiliated with any campaign or party. No campaign reviewed, requested or directed this piece. Texas is in its second day of early voting. Early voting runs through Friday, Oct. 30, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3 [1]. The U.S. Senate now stands at 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats [2]. The Cook Political Report rates the Texas race a Toss Up [3], and Sabato's Crystal Ball says Republicans need four of the five Senate Toss-ups to hold the majority [4]. The Texas Tribune reports that polls have the two men "neck to neck," with a slight edge for the Democrat [2]. Campaign ads blur everything. So we did the opposite. Here is Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico, side by side, on the border, on energy and on your taxes. Key Takeaways Border: In 2023, state Rep. Talarico voted no on $1.54 billion for Texas border barriers and border security, and no on making illegal entry a state crime [5][6][7]. Paxton is endorsed by the National Border Patrol Council [2]. Energy: Paxton has spent years in court against federal climate rules [8][9]. Talarico wrote a 2021 bill to cut Texas greenhouse gas emissions at least 90% below 1990 levels by 2050 [8][10]. Gas tax: Both want relief. Paxton would repeal the federal gas tax permanently. Talarico would suspend it [2][11]. Taxes: Paxton wants new deductions for families, homebuyers and medical bills, and a bigger child tax credit [12].