As Election Day nears, a look at the big money, tight polls, and closing themes in the Texas Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton

November 1, 2026 / 6:00 AM CST / CBS Texas.

The Texas Senate race between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton is one for the record books, at least when it comes to the big money spent on political ads.

AdImpact Politics reports that when you add up the amount of ad spending in both the general election and back to the primaries, the Texas Senate race is now the most expensive non-presidential race on record - with ad spending reaching $544. 5 million.