Texas Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton indicated he would debate Democratic rival James Talarico if the conditions were suitable, following repeated refusals to participate in scheduled showdowns. The development comes with 13 days remaining until Election Day, as early voting begins in a race that could determine control of the U.S. Senate.

Paxton, the state Attorney General, spoke with TMZ reporter Charlie Cotton on the campaign trail. When asked about a potential debate, Paxton stated, "Look, if the terms were right, I’d have no problem." He specified that a primary condition for his participation was avoiding coverage by CNN, which had initially been discussed as a host. "So in terms of debating, I don't want to end up with a CNN reporter covering the debate," Paxton said. "I don't know what all the terms are, but I do know I don't want a CNN reporter covering our debate."

What the Left Is Saying

James Talarico, the Democratic candidate, characterized Paxton’s refusal to debate as "low-T behavior." Talarico has previously issued open challenges for a debate at any time or location, including a proposal to meet on Fox News, Paxton’s preferred media environment. In response to Paxton’s new conditional offer, Talarico suggested TMZ as a venue, noting the outlet’s access to the Republican nominee. "But maybe, this is now just occurring to me, TMZ should host this debate. You seem to get a hold of Ken Paxton easier than most journalists do," Talarico said. Talarico’s camp views the debate refusal as an attempt to avoid scrutiny in a competitive race.

What the Right Is Saying

Paxton maintained that his stance on debates has been consistent with his desire to avoid what he perceives as biased media framing. He addressed reports that former President Donald Trump described him as "ready, willing and able" to debate, stating that characterization "is always true." Paxton emphasized his focus on the voters rather than media interactions. "I truly believe we’re going to win this race, but in the end, it’s the voters that decide. And I trust them," Paxton said. He dismissed questions about shame regarding a potential loss, stating, "No, look, I know that I’ve worked hard, and I know that we have done everything that we possibly could to make sure that we win the race."

What the Numbers Show

Early voting is currently underway in Texas, with preliminary reports from North Texas counties—including Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Denton—showing record first-day turnout for a midterm election. In polling averages, James Talarico holds a two-point lead over Ken Paxton according to RealClearPolitics. The Cook Political Report ranks the Texas Senate race as a toss-up, highlighting its significance in the broader contest for Senate control. This polling gap threatens to hand Republicans their first statewide defeat in Texas in decades.

The Bottom Line

The debate standoff remains unresolved as both candidates crisscross the state in the final stretch. While Paxton has softened his absolute refusal by introducing specific media conditions, Talarico’s counter-proposal for a TMZ-hosted event highlights the unusual media landscape of the 2026 midterms. The outcome of this race is critical for party control of the Senate, with early turnout data suggesting heightened voter engagement in key suburban counties.