Image: Shutterstock/Keystone/Watson
analysis
The fight between Ken Paxton and James Talarico for a Senate seat in Texas is becoming a litmus test for American politics.
May 28, 2026, 5:27 p.mMay 28, 2026, 5:27 p.m
In “The Count of Monte Cristo” Alexandre Dumas describes how a man is humiliated, disinherited and innocently thrown into prison, only to then take revenge on his tormentors in a monumental campaign. Although the novel was written in the mid-19th century, it remains a bestseller to this day because it became the blueprint for a recipe for success that Hollywood still adheres to today: nothing sells better than revenge.
Donald Trump also understood this lesson. He may break his election promises, involve the USA in an idiotic war, pursue absurd vanity projects and enrich himself more and more uninhibitedly. All of this will rub off on his MAGA base as long as he delivers what his followers thirst for most: revenge.
Ken Paxton and the President.Image: keystone
With his support of Ken Paxton in the Texas primary, Trump has once again delivered. Paxton is a kind of perverted Count of Monte Cristo. The man is accused of theft, embezzlement and adultery, members of his own Republican Party have initiated impeachment proceedings against him – and yet he has won the primaries for the upcoming elections for a Senate seat against his rival John Cornyn.
How can this be explained? What makes Paxton one of the most corrupt politicians in the USA for everyone outside of MAGA, makes him for his supporters a man who defies all of his liberal, woke and progressive opponents, who refuses to be defeated and who ultimately takes revenge. This makes him a hero in their eyes.
For the same reasons, he becomes a congenial partner for the president. “From Trump’s perspective, Paxton’s sin record is an advantage,” notes Jonathan Chait in the “Atlantic.” “The president appears to be comfortable and appears to be extremely reliant on allies who share his penchant for breaking the law and human decency.”
Paxton’s counterpart is James Talarico. The 37-year-old democrat studied theology and is a devout Christian. But he is not a fundamentalist fanatic, but rather represents progressive content such as transgender rights or the right to abortion. He is also an extremely capable politician. As a member of the Texas House of Representatives, he has succeeded in passing legislation across party lines that improves life for teachers, children and young people.
New political star: James Talarico.Image: keystone
Finally, Talarico is also a brilliant tactician. In the primaries he prevailed against Jasmine Crockett, another very influential MP. His appearance on Stephen Colbert went viral on the Internet and he is now considered one of the Democrats’ most important hopefuls.
The election for a Senate seat in Texas is much more than a local matter. It is becoming a litmus test for American politics and is therefore attracting national attention. Both candidates are aware of this: “Without the slightest doubt, I will be the Democrats’ number one target in November,” said Paxton at his election ceremony last Tuesday. For his part, Talarico says: “For 50 years, mega-patrons and their puppets like Ken Paxton have stolen from us with their bribes and their tax giveaways for billionaires. That will come to an end this year: in this state, in this race.”
The fight for the Texas seat is also about the balance of power in the Senate. If the Democrats manage to win this seat for the first time since 1994, they also have a good chance of achieving a majority in the small chamber. Seen this way, it is not surprising that a lot of money is being spent on the campaign in Texas. The Republican primaries alone consumed $128 million. The same amount will probably have to be raised if the Grand Old Party wants to get Paxton into the Senate.
Even that amount might not be enough, as Talarico has already raised more than $40 million. Paxton, on the other hand, has no talent in this regard and has to hope for help from his party.
Relies on smear campaign: Ken Paxton.Image: keystone
He and his allies in the conservative media therefore launched a smear campaign. They untruthfully portray Talarico as a vegan and give him the nickname “Tofu Talarico”. Or they call him a “woke weirdo” or a “six-gender Jimmy James.” Talarico’s answer is as short as it is succinct: “Paxton has a criminal record, I have a political record.” (Paxton has a criminal record, I have a criminal record.)
Polls point to a close outcome in the race. The Democrats are therefore optimistic, albeit cautious. You may remember that in 2018, a certain Beto O’Rourke ultimately lost to Ted Cruz in a similar situation. However, the current situation is not comparable in several respects.
Paxton’s big win over his Republican rival also needs to be put into perspective. As a rule, only a few percent of those eligible to vote take part in the primaries. They therefore say little about the outcome of the current elections. The Democrats have also won a few important elections in Texas since Trump took office.
The support from the White House is also relative. It is undisputed that Trump’s influence within his own party is almost complete. But he has also made serious mistakes in his support of Republican candidates, such as Herschel Walker, the hapless Senate candidate in Georgia.
Unlike the Count of Monte Cristo, Ken Paxton is anything but innocent. Or as the New York Times summarizes: “Most of the allegations against Paxton are very well documented. He’s been charged with fraud, he’s been impeached, he’s also been accused of stealing a $1,000 fountain pen, and his wife is in the process of divorcing him ‘on biblical grounds.’