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Attorney General Ken Paxton (left), the Republican Senate nominee, and state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic nominee.<\/p>\n
El\u00edas Valverde II, Jason Fochtman\/The Dallas Morning News Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
AUSTIN \u2013\u00a0A look at major developments from the past week in the Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico.<\/p>\n
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Fundraising race widens<\/p>\n
Talarico<\/a>, a state representative from Austin, announced that his campaign raised $30 million during the second quarter, more than triple the $9 million reported by Paxton<\/a>, the attorney general.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n It marked Talarico’s largest fundraising quarter after previously announcing $27 million in the first three months of the year. Paxton\u2019s total was his strongest quarter, with most donations coming after he defeated Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP runoff in late May.<\/p>\n Talarico said the fundraising reflects support for his push to lower costs and fight corruption. Paxton’s campaign said the donations show enthusiasm to send \u201ca proven conservative fighter\u201d to Washington.<\/p>\n Cruz warns Republicans that race is tight<\/p>\n Sen.Ted Cruz at the Texas GOP convention June 13 in Houston.<\/p>\n Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n Sen. Ted Cruz<\/a>, on Sean Hannity’s radio show, warned Republicans not to underestimate Talarico, saying the Democrat has \u201ca real chance\u201d to flip the seat.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s going to be close,\u201d Cruz said on the program, guest-hosted by Gov. Greg Abbott<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cruz acknowledged Talarico’s appeal, saying he is charming, affable and \u201csounds like a preacher.\u201d But Cruz said some voters may not know about policy positions he called too extreme.<\/p>\n He predicted that Paxton would prevail, and Abbott agreed, saying Talarico \u201cis going to be very beatable once Texans get to know who he really is.\u201d<\/p>\n Talarico launches border tour<\/p>\n Talarico kicked off a 750-mile \u201cFrontera Tour\u201d in El Paso before more than 700 supporters, with stops planned across border communities through Wednesday.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The tour will feature town halls, church visits and policy announcements focused on communities Talarico said have been overlooked by both parties.<\/p>\n After Saturday\u2019s event in El Paso, Talarico said he supports \u201ccomprehensive immigration reform,\u201d including a secure border while allowing immigrants who have lived in the country \u201cfor years and decades\u201d to \u201ccome out of the shadows and contribute to our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe want an immigration system that reflects our values, both as a nation of law and as a nation of immigrants,\u201d he said, according to the El Paso Times.<\/p>\n AG records at center of dispute<\/p>\n Talarico said Paxton\u2019s office denied his campaign’s request for records related to its prosecution of former Waco attorney Adam Hoffman<\/a>, who was accused of sexually abusing a young boy.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Talarico vowed to build bipartisan support to pressure the office to release the material.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n