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James Talarico, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, waits in line with his girlfriend, Brianna Menard, and his parents, Tamara and Mark Talarico, to vote at Gus Garcia Recreation Center in Austin on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jay Janner\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
AUSTIN \u2013 James Talarico<\/a> joined the early voting rush<\/a> Friday, casting his ballot in a Texas Senate race<\/a> drawing voters to the polls at a pace rarely seen outside presidential elections.<\/p>\n The Democratic candidate voted as Dallas County and other major Texas counties reported turnout far ahead of the 2022 midterms. Through Thursday, more than 248,000 ballots had been cast in Dallas County<\/a>, a record for that point in early voting.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u00a0gotta keep that up,\u201d Talarico said after voting. \u201cWe gotta keep our foot on the gas. We gotta make sure that every Texan gets out and votes and makes their voice heard in this process.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Talarico, however, didn\u2019t spend much time waiting to vote.<\/p>\n The Austin state representative arrived at a community center in Northeast Austin to cheers from some voters and joined the line with his girlfriend and parents. A few minutes later, an election worker ushered all four the front as TV cameras and photographers gathered around them.<\/p>\n The decision to move group ahead of others didn\u2019t bother Austin resident Alex Ramirez, 31, who had been three spots in front of Talarico.<\/p>\n \u201cIt didn’t seem like he wanted to cut in front, but everybody in line was pretty much just like, \u2018Go, it’s all good. We understand we don’t want you out here risking anything,\u2019\u201d said Ramirez, who added that he was supporting\u00a0Talarico for the Senate.<\/p>\n Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during an early vote rally in support of his campaign as the Republican candidate for U.S. senate seat in Texas. The campaign event was held at Matt\u2019s Rancho Martinez, 401 Central Expressway South, in Allen, on October 19, 2026.<\/p>\n Steve Hamm\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n Talarico\u2019s Republican opponent, Attorney General Ken Paxton<\/a>, cast his ballot Monday in Collin County, according to online county records. Unlike Talarico, Paxton did not alert the media in advance when he voted.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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