Texas U.S. Senate 2026: claims the fact-checkers examined
Three published fact-checks of claims made in this race, as pointers to the full checks: PolitiFact's check of a Paxton campaign claim about Talarico (May 27); PolitiFact's check of a Talarico statement about a plea deal by Paxton's office (June 3); and the Dallas Observer's check of a Talarico campaign ad about Paxton (Sept. 4, two excerpts). The excerpt is only a pointer — the rating and the reasoning are in the linked check.
- “Three years ago, Paxton escaped permanent consequences when he was acquitted on 16 articles of impeachment, with only two out of 19 Senators voting in favor of convicting on any article.” — Dallas Observer — “Fact check: Talarico campaign ad's claims about Paxton” · published Sep 4, 2026
- ““James is not and never has been a vegan or vegetarian,” campaign spokesperson JT Ennis said in an email to PolitiFact.” — PolitiFact — “In Texas Senate race, Ken Paxton falsely claims James Talarico is a vegan – PolitiFact” · published May 27, 2026
- “Since not all properties are required to be listed in financial filings, it’s hard to know Paxton’s exact net worth, though Forbes estimates it at about $13 million.” — Dallas Observer — “Fact check: Talarico campaign ad's claims about Paxton” · published Sep 4, 2026
- “State prosecutors in Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office said the victim did not want to testify at a second trial. They instead offered Hoffman a misdemeanor plea deal under which he served 29 days in jail and did not have to register as a sex offender.” — PolitiFact — “Fact-checking James Talarico’s attack on Texas AG Ken Paxton about sex abuse plea deal – PolitiFact” · published Jun 3, 2026