CBS News poll shows a Texas toss-up with Talarico, Paxton in tight Senate race

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CBS News poll shows a Texas toss-up with Talarico, Paxton in tight Senate race. (2026, October 18). CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/video/cbs-news-poll-shows-a-texas-toss-up-with-talarico-paxton-in-tight-senate-race/

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CBS News reports on a recent poll indicating a tight race for the Texas Senate seat between Democratic candidate James Talarico and Republican incumbent Ken Paxton as early voting begins. The article focuses on insights provided by CBS's executive director of elections and surveys, Anthony Salvanto, regarding voter preferences in this crucial election.

Written by AI on 2026-10-18, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

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As of October 18, 2026, James Talarico, a 37-year-old Democratic state Representative from Texas, is leading his Republican opponent Ken Paxton in polls for the upcoming midterm Senate race. A recent ReconMR/Siena Research Institute poll shows that 48% of voters prefer Talarico, while 44% favor Paxton. The CBS News poll also indicates a tight race, with both candidates essentially tied but highlighting economic concerns and personal character as key factors influencing voter decisions. Early voting begins on Monday in Texas, making the election highly competitive and dependent on voter turnout.

Written for “Talarico-Paxton Senate Race Toss-Up” on 2026-11-04, grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.

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📰 Talarico-Paxton Senate Race Toss-Up

Politics · 3 article(s) covering the same event. See how they differ ↓

Compared with similar articles

This article reads unscored and hedges 0% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.

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Hedges 1 of 2 claims Outlet record 65/100

“The articles discuss different polls conducted at separate times, indicating distinct reporting periods.”

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Hedges 5 of 55 claims Outlet record 78/100

“The articles discuss different aspects of the Senate race and do not describe the same specific incident or occurrence.”

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The Free Press

⚖️ Leans left Hedges 1 of 9 claims Outlet record 96/100

“The articles discuss different aspects of the Texas Senate race without reporting on the same specific incident or time.”

Fear and hope in Texas: Paxton vs. Talarico in an expensive US Senate showdown Different event

Toronto Star

⚖️ Leans left Hedges 6 of 51 claims Outlet record 64/100

“The articles discuss the same ongoing Senate race but describe different aspects and timeframes of the campaign.”

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Los Angeles Times

Hedges 4 of 80 claims Outlet record 95/100

“The articles discuss different aspects of the Texas Senate race but do not describe the same specific incident or happening.”

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The Straits Times

⚖️ Leans left Hedges 6 of 39 claims Outlet record 66/100

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James Talarico is close to taking Texas. Republicans are to blame Different event

Washington Examiner

⚖️ Leans left Hedges 1 of 7 claims Outlet record 69/100

“While both articles discuss a Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton in Texas, they describe different aspects of the election (a lead maintained by Talarico vs. a poll showing a close race), indicating separate reporting on related but distinct events.”

CBS News poll shows a Texas toss-up with Talarico, Paxton in tight Senate race

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