2026 Election: Prepping for Texas Senate results

[0:00] All right, but the big race here in Texas, right, is the Senate race, [0:04] and we are in the midst of the most expensive Senate race in history, [0:08] not just here in Texas, across the country. [0:10] We've got Ken Paxton, James Tallarico, lots of money behind each of those candidates, [0:15] but it's going to come down to you, the voter, making that final decision. [0:18] We've got team coverage for you on that front. [0:20] Karis Belger with Ken Paxton and his campaign, [0:22] Isaiah Carey following Tallarico's campaign. [0:25] We'll start with Isaiah. [0:28] Well, Anthony, we are here in Austin, just in the shadow of downtown Austin [0:32] at the Long Center, where James Tallarico will hold his watch party tonight. [0:37] Now, as you said, this is one of the most expensive races in the country, [0:42] over half a billion dollars spent. [0:44] Now, Tallarico has been able to raise on his own more than $150 million, [0:49] while Ken Paxton has raised just over $20 million. [0:53] And, of course, a lot is hanging in the balance. [0:56] This is one of those battleground states, one of seven that they're watching [1:00] all across the country, which could impact the balance of power in Congress. [1:05] And, of course, this seat was once held by John Cornyn, [1:09] who was defeated by Ken Paxton. [1:11] And, of course, President Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton. [1:15] And now he is going head-to-head with James Tallarico. [1:19] And James Tallarico, according to the most recent New York Times poll, [1:23] is leading him by at least seven points in all other polls, [1:29] where we've taken a look at this race, by about five points. [1:33] But he's expected here at the Long Center after 7 o'clock, after the polls close. [1:38] And, of course, last night he participated in a rally, [1:42] a concert to get the voters out here in Austin. [1:45] But he's been secluded so far for most of the day. [1:49] But we're expecting him here at the Long Center in Austin [1:52] just after 7 o'clock tonight. [1:55] In Austin, Isaiah Carey, Fox 26 News. [1:58] And, of course, now we go to Karras, who is in Dallas, [2:03] with John Paxton, who is running in this race. [2:11] Yeah, Isaiah, just within the last half hour, [2:13] they allowed press to get into this room. [2:15] Behind me is where everything will be happening [2:17] as we await the results of this election. [2:20] We do anticipate hearing from Paxton at some point in the night. [2:23] But it's, as you mentioned, a very tightly watched race. [2:26] And the most recent poll does have Salarico ahead of him [2:29] by about seven points. [2:31] But Paxton's push for this new role to be in the Senate [2:36] is based on what he says is his years of public service. [2:40] You know, he became, he represented Texas House District 70 [2:43] from 2003 to 2013. [2:46] In 2015, he became Attorney General. [2:48] And during that time, he has taken on quite a bit [2:51] of ambitious litigation as the top litigator in the state of Texas, [2:55] addressing things like immigration, environmental rules, [2:58] federal health policy, even abortion-related education. [3:01] And these are all the things that he is hoping voters [3:04] will keep in mind on their way into the polls. [3:08] Obviously, we are anticipating them to close at seven. [3:11] But he is, he's hoping that the people who go in [3:14] think about all he has done for the state in the meantime. [3:17] Now, I do want to mention, I have been speaking with voters [3:19] over the last few weeks. [3:20] I've been to polling sites all over Southeast Texas. [3:24] And a lot of people are talking to me about affordability. [3:27] That is the big thing that they are worried about. [3:29] People saying gas is expensive, groceries are high, [3:32] and it's hard for them to provide for their families. [3:34] And a lot of people are saying to me, like, [3:36] hey, I want a candidate who's going to advocate for me [3:39] and make it so I can afford to take care of my family. [3:42] And that issue has been pretty high at the top of mind of voters, [3:45] more so even than public safety, which is typically the leading issue. [3:49] So we're going to continue to stay here. [3:51] We're going to bring you the latest updates as we have them. [3:53] And of course, once we start getting those results, [3:55] we'll keep you updated. [3:56] In Dallas, I'm Karis Belger. [3:58] Back to you, Anthony. [4:00] Karis and Isaiah, thank you so much. [4:01] That really set the table for us to get an understanding [4:03] of this Senate race here in Texas between Tallarico and Ken Paxson. [4:07] But we want to take a look at the balance of power here [4:09] because today's midterm elections will impact two chambers. [4:12] And then that can really shift how policy moves forward here [4:15] because obviously President Donald Trump, a Republican, [4:17] if Democrats are able to win one or both chambers, [4:21] that can certainly have an impact. [4:22] You want to speak now to Shannon Bream, the host of Fox News Sunday, [4:26] because you're going to be very busy here today, Shannon. [4:29] Thank you so much for joining us. [4:30] We want to talk about the balance of power. [4:32] First, I want to focus on the House, right? [4:34] We have all 435 seats up for grabs here. [4:36] And there was some off-cycle redistricting done by Republicans. [4:39] Do you think the Republican Party will get the yield [4:42] they're looking for here to maintain control of that chamber? [4:45] Well, Anthony, that is a great question. [4:47] And I think they're even doubting that because just of the winds [4:50] that are blowing here with the Iran conflict and gas prices [4:53] and so many things that people find so frustrating, [4:55] as your reporters just pointed out, [4:57] all of that is cooking into this stew [4:59] that is probably not going to be good for Republicans tonight. [5:03] Our latest Fox News polling and Fox News power ranking shows [5:06] that it's almost certain that Democrats will take the House tonight. [5:09] How they get there and how many seats they have in their majority, [5:15] still don't know about that. [5:16] While the speaker is out there saying, [5:17] listen, I think that we're going to defy all the odds, [5:19] all the prognostication, all the polls, [5:21] he is predicting an upset, meaning Republicans hold the House tonight. [5:24] The Senate much more of a toss-up. [5:26] And we've got seven seats we're focusing on there, [5:28] including that big race you have there in Texas. [5:30] Okay, let's dive right into this race here in the Senate here in Texas. [5:33] I mean, Ken Paxton, you know, for some folks and some analysts, [5:37] they would say he might be a flawed candidate [5:39] compared to the former incumbent, Senator Cornyn, here. [5:42] And if it was Cornyn, it might have been a bit of an easier ride [5:44] to a victory here in comparison to Paxton. [5:47] But what do you think has to happen here for Ken Paxton to pull out a win? [5:50] And where do you think the winds are blowing to support Tallarico [5:52] if he is, in fact, to pull out a win here for Democrats? [5:55] Yeah, I think everything in these midterms is about turnout, [5:58] which is why you've seen the president come there so many times, [6:00] repeat visit after repeat visit there to Texas. [6:02] He sees it still as a MAGA, as a red state that's been very good to him. [6:07] But he knows that people can be complacent if they're not, [6:10] you know, there's not a presidential race on the top of the ballot, [6:13] getting them to turn out, get their friends out, get their neighbors out. [6:16] I mean, the president's just been hammering that over and over. [6:19] Our Fox News polling last showed a dead heat in this race. [6:22] But what it also told us is when we asked people the question [6:24] about whether they think Republicans or Democrats should control the U.S. Senate, [6:28] there was an edge there for Republican control. [6:31] So we'll see if that overrides the hesitation that some voters have there with regard to Ken Paxton. [6:37] Tallarico is seen as, you know, obviously a natural guy. [6:39] He's exploded onto the national stage. [6:43] He seems very comfortable there with voters and being out and about at these campaign events. [6:47] So we'll see how turnout is who decides to get off the couch and get out there if they haven't already voted today. [6:52] All right. And to be fair to our viewers, it's not uncommon for if a president is a Republican, [6:58] it's not uncommon for the House and Senate during that midterm election for it to swing the other way. [7:02] So just to give you guys context at home, it's not uncommon for this to happen if, in fact, Republicans lose the House. [7:08] Shannon, I want to follow up here and also talk about some of the power rankings and some of the shifts here [7:11] because these races may have been shifting one way or the other, maybe solid Democrat or Republican. [7:17] Now they're shifting a bit because there's a lot of voter sentiment, enthusiasm either way. [7:21] So what are we looking at with those rankings? [7:23] Well, the most recent shifts that we've had are good for Democrats, not great for Republicans. [7:28] Both the Kansas Senate race and the South Carolina Senate race moved in the direction of Democrats over the weekend. [7:34] That was one of the final power rankings moves that we had here at Fox. [7:38] And obviously, both of those seats are places that Democrats would absolutely love to pick up a seat. [7:42] That could be the balance of power for them and shifting things in the Senate. [7:45] But again, if they take the Senate and they take the House, the president is still going to be the president for two years. [7:51] I predict a lot of gridlock there in Washington, a lot of investigations and possible impeachments against the president, [7:57] maybe some other cabinet members. [7:59] It could be what everybody doesn't like about Washington, what they tell us in polls they don't like, [8:03] what folks at home want to get done is some bipartisanship, things that will make their life more affordable. [8:09] We'll see whoever's calling the shots if they can find a way to work together. [8:12] Yeah, it all comes down to those kitchen table issues. [8:14] Thank you so much, Shannon. [8:15] It's going to be a busy night for you, but of course, we'll be tuned in. [8:18] Good luck. [8:19] You too, Anthony. [8:20] Thank you. [8:21] All right.