Talarico Holds Separate Texas Senate Campaign Rally

Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico held a campaign rally in Fort Worth on Monday night, October 19, 2026, while Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., joined other Democrats at a separate event in El Paso. The split appearances came as early voting began ahead of the November 3 midterm elections and Talarico's contest against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton entered its final weeks.

Talarico addressed supporters at North Crowley High School as part of his "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts" campaign tour, following an earlier stop in Denton. Meanwhile, Sanders appeared at the Abraham Chavez Theatre in El Paso alongside former Rep. Beto O'Rourke and Democratic Reps. Greg Casar and Veronica Escobar.

At the El Paso rally, Democrats promoted Talarico's Senate campaign and criticized spending directed against his candidacy. Fox News Digital contacted Talarico's campaign to ask why he held a separate event rather than appearing alongside the other Democratic leaders.

O'Rourke told the El Paso audience that spending against Talarico had reached $368 million, framing the amount as evidence of opposition to the Democratic candidate.

"They have spent, so far, $368 million just against one man, the next senator from the state of Texas, James Talarico. That's how desperate, how scared and how panicked they are right now," O'Rourke said.

Casar also endorsed Talarico's candidacy, telling the crowd that his election would help Democrats advance their legislative priorities. Sanders, however, focused his remarks on the influence of wealthy donors in American elections without mentioning Talarico by name.

Sanders argued that large political contributions were shaping campaigns across the country, including the contest in Texas.

"What you are seeing in this campaign, what you are seeing right here in Texas, all over America, is multibillionaires are pouring hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars," Sanders said.

The Vermont independent urged supporters to vote early, presenting the midterm elections as a contest over the political influence of wealthy Americans.

At his Fort Worth rally, Talarico delivered a similar message about political spending, criticizing Paxton and billionaire Elon Musk over the role of wealthy donors in the Senate race. He linked the cost-of-living pressures facing Americans to corruption in politics.

"We have an affordability crisis because we have a corruption crisis," Talarico said.

Talarico also sought to position his campaign as an effort to appeal to voters beyond traditional party divisions, arguing that the election involved issues extending beyond partisan politics.

"This election shouldn't be about the Democratic Party or the Republican Party. It's bigger than that," he said.

Talarico and Paxton are competing for the Senate seat that Republican Sen. John Cornyn is vacating. According to the source report, the race has attracted national attention as Democrats seek their first Texas victory in a U.S. Senate election since 1988.