While Republicans were taking aim at Talarico inside the convention, Talarico was taking aim at Paxton outside it.

DALLAS — U.S. Senate nominee Ken Paxton did not have a primetime spot on Wednesday to address the Republican midterm convention, but he still used the venue to fire up the GOP base and attack his Democratic opponent, James Talarico.

“He is the most radical Democrat in Texas history, but he’s also the most well-funded. And that’s why today I need your prayers, your votes, and your support. If we lose Texas, we lose the common-sense revolution,” Paxton told the convention.



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In fact, Talarico’s name became a common punchline throughout the night from other presenters.

“Here in Texas we have James – God is non-binary, we have six genders, we need to dismantle capitalism – Talarico,” said U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill, Texas Congressional District 26.

Then U.S. Rep. Tim Scott from South Carolina said Democrats have nominated a “weird” candidate. The crowd booed after Scott said “James Talarico.”

But while Republicans were taking aim at Talarico inside the convention, Talarico was taking aim at Paxton outside it.

At a food drive in Oak Cliff, WFAA asked Talarico whether Paxton’s RNC appearance helps or hurts the Democratic campaign.

“While corrupt politicians like Ken Paxton are partying with their billionaire mega donors down the street at the billionaire ball, my campaign has collected 20,000 pounds of groceries for working Texans. The contrast in this race could not be more stark,” Talarico told WFAA.

A new survey out Wednesday shows Talarico leading Paxton by 5-points, 48% to 43%.

N+ Univision polled 1,000 Texas voters. The results track with a number of other recent polls.

But Talarico still claims he’s the underdog in the competitive U.S. Senate race.

“I don’t believe the polls anymore and the only poll that matters is on Election Day. I’m going to be the underdog until the last vote is counted,” Talarico added.

Republicans in Dallas don’t see Talarico as the underdog but instead, a political threat.

The first night of the RNC midterm convention made clear just how worried the GOP is about Talarico’s rising popularity with Texas voters.