Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico and President Donald Trump held dueling rallies in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday, highlighting the intense final days of a high-stakes senate race. With the election just a week away, the competing events in the reliably red city underscored a major threat to the Republican Party's three-decade grip on Texas.
Dueling Rallies Draw Massive Crowds in Lubbock
In a city with a population of fewer than 300,000, voters waited in lines stretching for blocks. On the east side of Lubbock, crowds gathered for Talarico's evening event, where over 4,000 people signed up to attend. Attendees voiced frustration over inflation, gas prices, and political corruption.
Less than three miles away, Trump addressed a crowd at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. The rally was held to support the Republican Senate candidate, state Attorney General Ken Paxton. Trump also brought out Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who delivered a brief speech that drew a large round of applause.
High Stakes and Heavy Spending in the Texas Senate Race
This fierce contest has drawn hundreds of millions of dollars in spending, making it one of the most closely watched elections in the country. Talarico has held a narrow lead in recent polling, prompting his push into Republican turf to capture crucial crossover votes.
During the Democratic rally, speakers urged supporters to seize a once-in-a-generation chance to flip a statewide seat. Key issues raised by the campaign included:
- High gas and diesel prices
- An ongoing affordability and economic crisis
- Closures of rural hospitals
- Allegations of corruption against opponents
Talarico criticized Paxton as a corrupt politician and a sycophant. He also targeted tech billionaire Elon Musk, stating that Musk has thrown more than $150 million into Paxton’s candidacy in an attempt to buy a personal senator.
Republican Counterattacks and Trump's Endorsement
Republicans leaned heavily on Trump's star power to rally their base. Trump labeled Talarico as an anti-gun extremist and dismissively referred to him as “Talafreako.” Talarico later embraced the nickname at his own event, telling the cheering crowd he had never seen so many “Talafreakos” packed into one room.
Paxton, who has faced personal scandals and fallout from a nasty primary against Sen. John Cornyn, praised Trump during the event. Trump has visited Texas three times this month, marking a significant effort to protect the Republican Senate seat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the main candidates in the Texas Senate race?
The primary candidates are Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico and Republican Senate candidate and state Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Where were the dueling rallies held?
The competing political rallies took place in Lubbock, Texas, with Trump speaking at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.
Why is this Senate race receiving national attention?
The race has drawn hundreds of millions of dollars in spending and presents a major threat to the Republican Party's 30-year control of Texas, with Talarico holding a narrow lead in recent polling ahead of the election.