Texas Senate hopefuls Talarico, Paxton set three TV debates

Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico publicly challenged his Republican opponent, Attorney General Ken Paxton, to three televised debates on July 16, framing the contest as a test of accountability. Paxton's campaign quickly accepted the challenge, setting the stage for a series of high-stakes encounters in one of the nation's most closely watched races.

Talarico, a state representative, issued the challenge during a television interview, accusing Paxton of being a "puppet politician" controlled by billionaire donors who have kept him from public debates for over a decade. He stated he had already accepted invitations from three Texas media groups for televised debates and urged Paxton to do the same. "I'll be on that debate stage because I answer to the people of Texas," Talarico said. "Ken Paxton answers to his billionaire megadonors. We'll see if they let him show up."

Within hours, Paxton's senior adviser, Nick Maddux, confirmed the attorney general's intent to participate. "Of course we are going to debate James Talarico and we look forward to engaging with potential debate hosts," Maddux said in a statement. The campaign confirmed it had received the same debate...