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netscape.com: https://isp.netscape.com:443/news/story/0001/20260528/21215a474f8bc740467d42ca60f403a0

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GDELT news · original
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Thursday, May 28, 2026

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Now, he's leaning into the same arguments against Paxton that Republican Senate leaders feared would make the attorney general a weaker candidate than Sen. John Cornyn, who Paxton beat in Tuesday's Republican runoff.
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Talarico targets Paxton's scandals in Texas Senate race, pivoting from his sunny primary message - Netscape News Netscape Internet Service News News Home U.S. World Entertainment Money Politics Sports Science Health Odd News Talarico targets Paxton's scandals in Texas Senate race, pivoting from his sunny primary message By THOMAS BEAUMONT and JESSE BEDAYN Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — Texas Democrat James Talarico launched his general election campaign for the U.S. Senate Wednesday by framing his Republican opponent, state Attorney General Ken Paxton, as part of a corrupt political establishment that uses power to serve itself rather than the people. Talarico has given Democrats their best chance in years of winning a Senate race in Texas and has boosted their still-uphill chances of retaking the majority in the U.S. Senate in November. Talarico, a former middle school teacher and a state lawmaker from Austin, laid out a clear strategy for the months ahead: Litigating Paxton’s scandals to a weary electorate. “Ken Paxton is the most corrupt politician in America,” Talarico told a crowd of about 1,000 supporters who packed a dance club in downtown Houston. “He has failed the character test. He has put his own interests above the laws of Texas. Those are not my words, those are the words of Ken Paxton’s fellow Republicans.” He also sought to tie what he called the “rot” at the heart of the nation's political system to the everyday problems faced by many voters, driving home the concerns over rising costs that have been part of Democrats' wider messaging strategy for this year's midterm elections. "In America, we have an affordability crisis because we have a corruption crisis," Talarico told the crowd. Talarico's messaging is tougher than in the primary It was a stark pivot from the more sunny, spiritual theme of Talarico's Democratic primary campaign . Now, he's leaning into the same arguments against Paxton that Republican Senate leaders feared would make the attorney general a weaker candidate than Sen. John Cornyn, who Paxton beat in Tuesday's Republican runoff. The diverse crowd in Houston held signs emblazoned with “Talarico,” but with a new twist. On the flipside was the campaign's new theme: “THE PEOPLE vs. KEN PAXTON.” Phrased like a court case aimed at the state's chief law enforcement officer, the theme was launched on the day that also marked the third anniversary of Paxton's impeachment on allegations he used his office to benefit a wealthy political donor. Paxton was acquitted on all 20 articles of impeachment, which has emboldened him and fueled his supporters. Many of them have long held that he and President Donald Trump, who endorsed him, have been victims of political persecution. But the message seemed to resonate with many at Talarico's rally. Monique Green, a retired elementary school teacher from Houston, said the most important part o
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