Talarico Closes His Case in Houston Before 1,900 Supporters as Harris County Passes a Million Early Ballots; Paxton Campaigns in Fort Worth
At Bayou Music Center on Saturday, Democrat James Talarico cast himself as the underdog and attacked Ken Paxton as Elon Musk's puppet, while Harris County reported 1,081,010 early ballots — a midterm record. A CNN/SSRS poll of October 20-27 has Talarico ahead 49 to 43.
James Talarico made his closing Houston argument on Saturday, rallying 1,900 supporters at Bayou Music Center, according to the Houston Chronicle's account of the event, read this cycle. The Democratic U.S. Senate nominee cast himself as the underdog in the race against Republican Ken Paxton and attacked Paxton as Elon Musk's puppet. 'This election is about whether you want a senator who puts money in your pocket or who puts money in his own,' Talarico told the crowd, according to the Associated Press account of the rally.
Talarico did not speak alone: Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa, U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee and Harris County Judge candidate Letitia Plummer also addressed the crowd, the accounts report. The rally landed the same day Harris County reported 1,081,010 early ballots cast — a midterm record, and more than a third of the county's registered voters, according to the county figures carried in the weekend reporting. Paxton spent his Saturday campaigning in Fort Worth.
The money and the polling frame the final 72 hours. Musk's spending on Paxton's behalf has passed $150 million, the Chronicle reported. A CNN/SSRS poll conducted October 20-27 put Talarico ahead 49 to 43, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2 points — a lead, but one the final weekend's turnout will decide. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.
