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Ken Paxton’s campaign says he will debate James Talarico in Texas’ U.S. Senate race
By Gabby Birenbaum at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com)
· July 17, 2026
· 3 min read
(TEXAS TRIBUNE) - WASHINGTON — Attorney General Ken Paxton’s campaign said he would debate state Rep. James Talarico in Texas’ U.S. Senate race after Talarico challenged him to do so Thursday morning.Talarico, the Democratic nominee, said he had accepted invitations from three Texas media groups ...
Key takeaway Talarico, the Democratic nominee, said he had accepted invitations from three Texas media groups for televised debates and urged Paxton, who has not participated in debates in recent elections, to do the same.
Why this matters in The Odessa
In the Permian Basin area, where Odessa is a key community, the upcoming debate between Ken Paxton and James Talarico will be closely watched. The region's voters have historically leaned Republican, but the tight polls in this U.S. Senate race suggest that local Democrats are energized. As the debate approaches, Odessa residents will be looking for the candidates to address issues that matter to the local economy, such as energy policy and transportation infrastructure. The fact that Paxton has agreed to debate, despite his history of avoiding them, may indicate that he recognizes the importance of winning over voters in West Texas. Talarico's acceptance of multiple debate invitations and his criticism of Paxton's debate record may resonate with some local voters who value transparency and accountability in their elected officials. The debate will provide a crucial opportunity for both candidates to connect with voters in Odessa and the surrounding area.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? (TEXAS TRIBUNE) - WASHINGTON — Attorney General Ken Paxton’s campaign said he would debate state Rep. James Talarico in Texas’ U.S. Senate race after Talarico challenged him to do so Thursday morning.Talarico, the Democratic nominee, said he had accepted invitations from three Texas media groups ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gabby Birenbaum at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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