Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico spent the weekend before Tuesday's U.S. Senate election campaigning in Texas. Paxton spoke Saturday at Cullen Yards in Fort Worth, while Talarico held a rally and concert at Houston's Bayou Music Center. The two focused on Tarrant and Harris counties, which the campaigns described as central to their paths to victory. Early voting set a record for a nonpresidential election year, with more than 7.1 million ballots cast in person.
Paxton said the race could be decided by a narrow margin and urged supporters to recruit voters in the remaining days. He promoted his "Protecting the Texas Promise" plan, which calls for tax deductions for medical expenses, home purchases and certain health-related spending, and an expanded child tax credit. He said Talarico backs higher taxes and policies that would harm the oil and gas industry. Paxton also said the election could shape Texas for years.
Talarico, a state representative from Austin, described his campaign as an underdog effort facing powerful opponents. He said the campaign had three days left to win the election. The race could help determine partisan control of the U.S. Senate, according to the report.