government
Talarico challenges Paxton to debates in US Senate race
By Carolina Hauger at KTSM 9 News (NBC)
· July 16, 2026
· 1 min read
Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico challenged Republican nominee Ken Paxton to participate in three televised debates, saying voters deserve to hear the candidates answer questions directly ahead of November's election.
Key takeaway Senate nominee James Talarico challenged Republican nominee Ken Paxton to participate in three televised debates, saying voters deserve to hear the candidates answer questions directly ahead of November's election.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The challenge to debates issued by James Talarico sets the stage for a potentially lively and informative campaign season in El Paso and beyond. As voters in the El Paso area prepare to cast their ballots in November, they will be watching to see if Ken Paxton accepts the invitation to debate. The decision to participate in televised debates could have significant implications for how voters in this community perceive the candidates and their policies. El Pasoans will be particularly interested in hearing the candidates' views on issues that directly impact the local economy and border region. A debate would provide a unique opportunity for voters to assess the candidates' positions on key issues and make a more informed decision at the polls. The response from Paxton's campaign will be closely watched in the coming days.
About this story
Original reporting by KTSM 9 News (NBC) . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KTSM 9 News (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: KTSM 9 News (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico challenged Republican nominee Ken Paxton to participate in three televised debates, saying voters deserve to hear the candidates answer questions directly ahead of November's election.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by KTSM 9 News (NBC) and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Carolina Hauger at KTSM 9 News (NBC). To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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