Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has long campaigned against voter fraud, now faces accusations of committing the same offense from his Senate opponent, state Representative James Talarico. During a campaign event in Houston on July 24, 2026, Talarico claimed Paxton voted illegally in six consecutive elections using an address where he no longer lived.

Investigations by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune revealed that Paxton moved out of the home he shared with his wife, State Senator Angela Paxton, in 2024 but continued to cast ballots using that address, including in the March Republican primary where he defeated U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

Southern Methodist University political science professor Cal Jillson noted that these allegations may resonate with voters as they reinforce longstanding criticisms that Paxton has used his office for personal gain. Meanwhile, the Collin County Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Texas Secretary of State shortly before Secretary Jane Nelson's last day in office on July 24, 2026.

The Secretary of State's office has not publicly responded to inquiries but informed Collin County Democratic Party Vice Chair Mary Higbe via email that the complaint remains under review by staff attorneys. Jon Taylor, a political science professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, suggested the Republican-led state government might be deliberately delaying the investigation.

As the Senate race intensifies, these developments place Paxton under increased scrutiny regarding his voting practices and adherence to election laws.

Sources