parks
Ken Paxton’s campaign says he will debate James Talarico in Texas’ U.S. Senate race
By Gabby Birenbaum at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 17, 2026
· 3 min read
(TEXAS TRIBUNE) - WASHINGTON — Attorney General Ken Paxton’s campaign said he would debate state Rep. James Talarico in Texas’ U.S. Senate race after Talarico challenged him to do so Thursday morning.Talarico, the Democratic nominee, said he had accepted invitations from three Texas media groups ...
Key takeaway Talarico, the Democratic nominee, said he had accepted invitations from three Texas media groups for televised debates and urged Paxton, who has not participated in debates in recent elections, to do the same.
Why this matters in The Midland
In the Permian Basin, where voters are keenly aware of the impact of federal policies on the local energy industry, the upcoming debate between Ken Paxton and James Talarico will be closely watched. The region's economy is heavily reliant on the oil and gas sector, and the candidates' stances on issues like energy regulation and environmental policy will be of particular interest to Midland residents. As the debate schedule takes shape, local voters will be looking for clarity on how each candidate plans to support or shape the industry, and how their policies will affect the local workforce and economy. With the race currently locked in a statistical tie, the debates may prove pivotal in swaying undecided voters in the Midland area, where Republican candidates have historically performed well, but where Talarico's campaign is hoping to make inroads.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland 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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? (TEXAS TRIBUNE) - WASHINGTON — Attorney General Ken Paxton’s campaign said he would debate state Rep. James Talarico in Texas’ U.S. Senate race after Talarico challenged him to do so Thursday morning.Talarico, the Democratic nominee, said he had accepted invitations from three Texas media groups ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gabby Birenbaum at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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