“Ken Paxton’s mugshot was taken just a few miles from here \u2014 at the Collin County courthouse \u2014 where he was indicted for investment fraud,” Talarico said during the rally. “He convinced his own friends to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into a tech company. But what he didn’t tell them is that he was making a commission off their investments. He was scamming his own friends.”<\/p>\n
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State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, waits his turn to speak during a campaign rally at El Paso’s Firefighters Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. Talarico is vying to replace U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-TX, in the November 2026 General Election.<\/p>\n
Paxton’s past scandals \u2014 from a high-profile divorce for infidelity to being impeached by the Republican-controlled Texas House of Representatives \u2014 have been a central part of Talarico’s campaign<\/a> since Paxton won the May 26 runoff. Meanwhile, Paxton’s only real salvo has been a false assertion that Talarico is a vegan.<\/p>\n “If Ken Paxton will sell out his own friends for a quick buck, what makes you think he won’t sell you out in the United States Senate?” Talarico mused. “Listen, Ken Paxton has escaped accountability. But accountability is coming on Nov. 3. Ken Paxton is everything that’s wrong with this broken system. He does not serve us. He serves himself.”<\/p>\n Talarico noted that Paxton’s net worth has increased 7,000% during his time in office, while the salaries of average Texans have remained largely stagnant.<\/p>\n More: James Talarico raises $3 million to fight ‘corrupt’ Ken Paxton<\/a><\/p>\n “He takes bribes from wealthy donors, while blocking overtime pay for Texas workers and gutting our healthcare,” he said. ” This kind of corruption is the rot at the core of this broken system. It’s why we can’t get ahead no matter how hard we work. It’s why we can’t afford anything.”<\/p>\n Talarico will face Paxton in the Nov. 3 General Election, where recent polling<\/a> shows him with a good chance of turning Texas’ U.S. Senate seat blue for the first time since 1993.<\/p>\n Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.<\/p>\n