James Talarico
October 8, 2026 · Newsletter
A resounding victory
It’s officially “pollercoaster” season. It feels like I see a new one every day, and almost all of them tell the same story.
Texas’ U.S. Senate race is within the margin of error. Most polls show us with an advantage, which is great, but almost none of them have us over that 50% mark. There are still Texans making up their minds — our neighbors still deciding who to vote for or whether to vote at all.
So yes, I hope the small lead has you fired up. It’s exciting. Something is happening in Texas, and everyone can see it.
But here is the brutal truth: We need our victory to be so big that it’s undeniable.
When we talk internally about what it will take to win Texas, one thing we repeat is that our margin must be too big to rig.
Ken Paxton is the most corrupt politician in Texas — and he’s backed by the most corrupt and wealthy interests in America. They are already using every dirty tactic they’ve got because they are panicking.
Add to that some of the most restrictive voting laws in the country. We have one of the earliest voter registration deadlines in the country — that’s already passed. As of March, over 1.2 million Texans are on a “suspense list” that seems designed to cause uncertainty and alarm.
Politicians in Texas have made it as difficult and confusing to vote as possible to protect their own power. That’s why we’re making a massive investment in grassroots organizing and voter protection. It’s why every single Texan’s vote is going to matter in November.
To win big, we need every resource possible — especially with early voting starting in just over a week.