Talarico criticized Ken Paxton and called for campaign-finance reforms, while U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez highlighted his own reelection race.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — With Election Day approaching, Texas Senate candidate James Talarico brought his campaign’s anti-corruption message to Corpus Christi on Saturday, criticizing Republican opponent Ken Paxton and urging voters to unite against what he called a broken political system.
Talarico, a Democratic state representative, spoke to a crowd of more than 900 people, according to campaign staff, at the Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures in downtown Corpus Christi.
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Opening his remarks with a reference to the television series Friday Night Lights, Talarico compared the final days of the campaign to the closing moments of a football game, when a team has to leave everything on the field.
He encouraged Texans to come together around a common goal, much like a community rallying behind its high school football team, regardless of political differences.
Talarico then turned to the stakes of the Senate race, claiming his campaign had faced more than $200 million in spending aimed at defeating him, which he described as a record for a Senate race.
“They are scared. They are terrified,” Talarico told the crowd.
Talarico targets Paxton over corruption allegations
A central theme of Talarico’s speech was his promise to make government accountability a priority if elected to the U.S. Senate.
He said his first bill would be a comprehensive anti-corruption agenda, including efforts to overturn the effects of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, ban corporate political action committees and super PACs, and prevent members of both parties from trading stocks while serving in public office.
However, Talarico’s opposition to big-money politics has drawn scrutiny because a super PAC supporting his campaign has received millions of dollars from wealthy donors.
According to a July report by The Texas Tribune, billionaire investor and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman donated $10 million to Lone Star Rising, the main super PAC supporting Talarico’s Senate bid. The contribution accounted for nearly 80% of the group’s nearly $13 million in fundraising during the second quarter of 2026. Hoffman had also donated $1 million in February and $500,000 in January.
Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to advocate for political candidates, but federal law prohibits them from coordinating their activities with candidates’ campaigns.
When previously asked about support from billionaire donors and super PACs, Talarico said he would not “unilaterally disarm while Republicans play by their own rules.” He has also said he welcomes wealthy supporters who agree with his proposals to tax billionaires and limit their political influence.
In a statement to The Texas Tribune, Talarico spokesperson JT Ennis said the campaign has no control over contributions to super PACs and reiterated Talarico’s support for banning them.
At Saturday’s rally, Talarico also highlighted legislation he said he had helped pass in the Texas Legislature with bipartisan support, including measures addressing teacher pay, property taxes, housing costs and prescription drug prices.
“I ran for office not to be served but to serve,” he said.
Talarico contrasted that message with Paxton’s record, pointing to the attorney general’s 2023 impeachment by the Texas House over allegations of corruption and abuse of office. The Texas Senate acquitted Paxton later that year.
Talarico accused Paxton of using public office to benefit himself and wealthy donors, claiming Paxton’s net worth had increased by $27 million since taking office and that he now owns 15 homes.
“Ken Paxton represents everything that’s wrong with politics. He doesn’t serve us; he serves himself,” Talarico said.
He also criticized Paxton over allegations that he accepted bribes from wealthy donors, arguing that corruption has contributed to Texans’ struggles with the cost of living, including gas, groceries and health care.
Gonzalez highlights Corpus Christi roots in competitive House race
U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, a Democrat seeking reelection against Republican Eric Flores, also addressed the crowd, focusing on the congressional district boundaries that have reshaped his race.
Gonzalez said Republicans redrew his district into one that former President Donald Trump won by roughly 10 to 11 percentage points, but argued they underestimated the significance of Corpus Christi being included in his district.
“The only thing they didn’t know was that I was born and raised in Corpus Christi,” Gonzalez said, drawing loud applause.
Gonzalez said he believed the redistricting was intended to pressure him into retiring rather than contesting a more Republican-leaning district.
He also pointed to a CNN polling figure that he said showed him leading by seven points in the race.
Gonzalez used the rally to promote a proposal aimed at directing more of the wealth generated by the Port of Corpus Christi back into the local community.
He said more than a quarter-trillion dollars in goods are exported through the port annually, but argued that the region does not see enough of the economic benefits.
Under his proposal, the federal government would direct $3 out of every $100 collected on those exports back to Nueces County.
Talarico appears at Dia de los Muertos Festival
After the rally, Talarico traveled to Chaparral Street to appear at Corpus Christi’s Dia de los Muertos Festival.
Cumbia musician El Dusty brought Talarico onto the stage for a brief appearance, where he greeted supporters and posed for pictures.
Early voting continues in Texas until Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3.