The Texas Senate race has taken a dramatic turn as Democratic candidate James Talarico and Republican incumbent Ken Paxton engage in a heated battle ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The campaign has seen a surge in controversy, with issues ranging from AI-generated deepfakes to allegations of ignoring Jeffrey Epstein survivors.
Talarico, who has emerged as a strong contender, recently accused Paxton of turning a blind eye to the survivors of Epstein’s sexual abuse. Speaking in Dallas where Republicans are holding their midterm convention, Talarico stood alongside an Epstein victim at an exhibit featuring thousands of pages of Department of Justice files related to the case.
Talarico Accuses Paxton of Ignoring Epstein Survivors
Talarico’s accusations come as Democrats seek to increase pressure on Republicans ahead of the November elections. He questioned why holding sexual abusers accountable had become a partisan issue. “When did pedophilia become a partisan issue? When did holding sexual abusers accountable become controversial?” Talarico asked.
He further stated that survivors of Epstein’s abuse had requested to meet with Paxton, the Texas attorney general, but were refused. “Our attorney general here in Texas has the power to get justice for these survivors, and he’s refusing to do so,” Talarico said. He urged Paxton to choose between standing with the survivors and seeking justice or continuing to cover up Epstein’s abuse.
The exhibit in Dallas, which has previously been shown in New York, features rows of shelves holding all the files released so far related to Epstein. Critics argue that some documents released by the government revealed victims’ names and that some material has been withheld.
Paxton’s Campaign Uses AI-Generated Deepfakes
In a controversial move, Paxton’s campaign released an AI-generated attack ad targeting Talarico’s religious statements. The ad, titled “King James,” depicts a fake Talarico rewriting the Bible and delivering a monologue about gender and Christianity—a performance Talarico never gave.
The ad combines fragments of remarks Talarico has made about Christianity, gender, and Jesus, removes them from their original contexts, alters some of his wording, and scripts them into a speech he never delivered. The deepfake builds its caricature from positions that have made Talarico a particular object of fury on the Christian right, including his inclusive theology and his defense of LGBTQ+ people.
Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian, has said that God is nonbinary, explaining that he meant God transcends gender. The recurring Republican claim that Talarico believes there are “six genders” originates from a 2021 legislative debate in which he discussed chromosomal variations and the biological complexity of sex.
Reactions to the AI Attack Ad
The AI-generated ad has sparked a debate about the ethics of using synthetic media in political campaigns. Political commentator Mehdi Hasan shared the ad on X and wrote: “AI ads like this should be illegal.” Meanwhile, X user Frank Luntz questioned whether this was the first nationwide TV ad with an AI depiction of a political opponent.
These reactions capture the wider argument surrounding synthetic campaign media: political satire is protected speech, but realistic impersonation can make it harder for viewers to separate quotation from invention.
Polling and Prediction Markets
The race between Talarico and Paxton is closely watched, with recent polling showing a narrow lead for Talarico. A Univision/YouGov survey conducted from August 27 through September 4 found Talarico leading 48 percent to 43 percent among registered voters. An Emerson College poll found Paxton at 47 percent and Talarico at 46 percent, a statistical tie.
Prediction markets also reflect the close nature of the race. Kalshi a U.S.-regulated prediction market, gives Paxton a 53 percent chance of victory against 47 percent for Talarico. Polymarket displays both candidates at 51 percent, with more than $1 million traded.
Talarico’s campaign has responded to the AI attack ad by focusing on allegations surrounding Paxton’s tenure as attorney general. A new campaign ad features former Paxton aide David Maxwell who reported the attorney general to the FBI with other senior employees.
As the Texas Senate race heats up, the use of AI-generated deepfakes and the allegations surrounding Epstein survivors continue to be key issues. The outcome of this race could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate and the future of political campaigning in the digital age.
