James Talarico (D), Ken Paxton (R), and five other candidates are running in the general election for U.S. Senate in Texas on November 3, 2026.

Incumbent John Cornyn (R) lost to Paxton in the Republican primary runoff. As of May 2026, major election forecasters rated the general election Likely Republican. The last Democrat to win election to the U.S. Senate from Texas was Lloyd Bentsen (D) in 1988. In 2024, incumbent Ted Cruz (R) defeated Colin Allred (D) 53.1%–44.6%. In 2020, Cornyn defeated M.J. Hegar (D) 53.5%–43.9%. CNN's Aaron Blake said, "[T]he data suggest Democrats’ chances are as good as — or better than — ever in the last three decades. History and logic suggest it’s still worth being circumspect."[1] As of May 2026, Talarico had raised $40.3 million and Paxton had raised $7.6 million.

Talarico was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2018. He earlier taught middle school language arts in San Antonio. Talarico says he is running because "[t]he people at the top work so hard to keep us angry and divided because our unity is a threat to their wealth and power. So their cable news networks and their social media algorithms tear us apart. ... 2,000 years ago, when the powerful few rigged the system, [Jesus Christ] walked into the seat of power and flipped over the tables of injustice. To those who love our country, to those who love our neighbors: It’s time to start flipping tables.

Paxton was elected as Texas Attorney General in 2014. He served in the Texas State Senate from 2013 to 2015 and in the Texas House of Representatives from 2003 to 2013. Paxton says he will "champion President Trump’s legislative priorities, including cutting taxes, securing the border and deporting illegal aliens, ending the weaponization of government, and draining the Swamp." Paxton's campaign website says, "Both President Trump and Ken Paxton have been targeted in politically motivated witch hunts because there’s nothing that scares the establishment more than courageous conservatives who never back down from standing up for the American people."

As of June 1, 2026, satellite groups had reported spending a combined $18.6 million supporting or opposing Talarico and Paxton. This figure includes $14.0 million spent to oppose Paxton, $4.09 million spent to support Talarico, $505,000 spent to oppose Talarico, and $1,400 spent to support Paxton.

The outcome of this race will affect the partisan balance of the U.S. Senate in the 120th Congress. Thirty-three of the 100 U.S. Senate seats are up for election, and another two seats are up for special election. Democrats hold 13 of the seats up for election, and Republicans hold 22.