How Early Voting Could End Texas Democrats' 38-Year Senate Drought — And Why Latinos Hold the Key

SAN MARCOS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 15: Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate James Talarico attends a political event on October 15, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas. The event was also used to produce a video for the campaign. (Credit: Photo by Joel Angel Juarez/Getty Images)

Three days before Texans can begin casting early ballots, Democrat James Talarico holds a 50–47 advantage over Republican Ken Paxton — a statistical dead heat — while Latino likely voters are favoring the Democrat 54–41, the widest crossover gap in a race that could end a 38-year Senate drought for Texas Democrats.