Texas Senate Race: Ken Paxton and James Talarico Exchange Corruption Allegations

Accusations in the Texas Senate Race

Ken Paxton, a candidate in the Texas Senate Race, has accused his rival, James Talarico, of corrupt practices during his tenure as a state representative. Paxton claims Talarico used his office for personal gain, benefiting an employer, and demands Talarico explains why taxpayer dollars were used for his advantage. Paxton shared these accusations on X, casting doubt on Talarico’s integrity.

These claims come after a report from Fox News, which scrutinizes Talarico’s past consulting work with MAYA Consulting, now rebranded as VIDA Collaborative. During Talarico’s time on the Texas House Public Education Committee, which oversees the Texas Education Agency (TEA), MAYA secured millions in contracts from TEA. The Republican National Committee labeled this a “textbook pay-to-play scheme.”

Talarico’s Defense

Talarico’s campaign rebuts the allegations, branding them as false. They argue Talarico complied with state legislature rules and had no link to the contracts awarded to MAYA. His financial records reveal he earned $83,333.40 from MAYA in 2025.

Reports from Texas’s Legislative Budget Board specify that TEA allocated $3.5 million and $1.6 million in contracts to MAYA in 2021 and 2022. Although Talarico was a voting member of the Public Education Committee, VIDA CEO Kassi Longoria clarified that Talarico neither influenced nor benefited from these contracts.

His campaign underscores that Talarico’s dealings were transparent, adhering to Texas House rules. They emphasize that Talarico abstained from representing MAYA before the legislature or any educational agencies.

Ken Paxton’s Own Controversies

The Talarico campaign accuses Paxton of fabricating allegations to distract from his own legal challenges. Paxton, who prevailed in his primaries with President Trump’s support, has dealt with numerous corruption investigations.

Indicted for securities fraud in 2015, Paxton settled his case in 2024, paying $300,000 in restitution. Further complications arose in 2020, when Paxton’s staff reported concerns that led to an FBI inquiry. Additionally, in 2023, Paxton faced impeachment by the Republican-controlled Texas House on grounds including obstruction of justice and bribery, although acquitted by the Senate.

These controversies form the basis of Talarico’s attacks, with ads portraying Paxton as “the most corrupt politician in Texas.”

Current State of the Race

As midterms approach, Talarico leads in major polls, displaying an advantage against Paxton. However, Paxton dismisses these polls, stating his internal polling suggests a closer race.

Polling from the New York Times indicates Paxton hasn’t led since an Emerson College poll in August, only showing a narrow 1-point lead. Meanwhile, districts 15, 28, and 34 illustrate significant leads for Talarico, despite President Trump’s past success there.

Paxton assures during a Fox News interview that his internal data reflects a competitive scenario, presenting a potentially tight race.