Texas voters will choose candidates in several statewide races in the midterm elections. The most closely watched is the U.S. Senate race between Ken Paxton (R) and James Talarico (D). Paxton has served as Texas attorney general since 2014 and defeated Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary. Talarico, a former middle school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian, has served in the Texas House since 2018. He defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary.
Greg Abbott (R) is seeking a fourth term as governor. He has served as governor since 2015. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D), who has served in the Texas House since 2017, is running against him.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) is seeking a fourth term and will face Vikki Goodwin (D). Patrick took down political attack ads that depicted Goodwin, and Goodwin filed a criminal complaint saying the ads violated state deepfake laws.
For attorney general, Mayes Middleton (R) and Nathan Johnson (D) are running to replace Paxton. Middleton defeated U.S. Rep. Chip Roy in the Republican primary runoff in May. Johnson defeated Joe Jaworski in the Democratic primary runoff. Both are members of the Texas Senate.