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Three Senate Debates Scheduled, Paxton Hasn't Confirmed

Mario Leal

Mario Leal

— 1 min read
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Three televised debates in the Texas U.S. Senate race now have dates, venues, and broadcast partners. Democrat James Talarico has accepted all three. Republican Ken Paxton has not confirmed any of them.

  • Sept. 22, 8 p.m. CT — Rio Grande Valley (NBC/Telemundo/Hearst)
  • Oct. 6, 8 p.m. CT — Dallas (WFAA/TEGNA)
  • Oct. 13, 9 p.m. CT — Austin (KXAN/Nexstar)

Paxton's campaign told the Texas Tribune he intends to debate and is close to terms with one outlet. Adviser Nick Maddux said Texans deserve "a fair side-by-side comparison, not political theater," and objected to negotiating through Talarico's press shop or accepting a moderator chosen by the opposing campaign.

Talarico announced the schedule on July 29 and framed the gap plainly: he's accepted, and it's on Paxton to show up. Last month Paxton took questions at a Fort Worth press conference and ended it when reporters asked about his real estate holdings and his voting address.

Agreeing to debate and agreeing to show up are two different things. The first date is September 22nd. We'll tell you whether he's on that stage.

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