Texas Senate race takes dramatic turn as bipartisan operatives launch massive effort to help James Talarico and target Paxton

Texas – The battle for Texas’ U.S. Senate seat is entering a costly new phase after a newly formed super PAC announced plans for a major advertising campaign aimed at boosting Democratic nominee James Talarico while reminding voters of the legal and ethical controversies that have surrounded Republican candidate Ken Paxton for years.

The group, called Moment of Truth PAC, is being led by an unusual mix of Republican and Democratic political veterans. Its organizers say they see a unique opportunity in Texas, where early signs suggest some Republican and independent voters may be open to crossing party lines in one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country.

According to fundraising materials circulated by the PAC, the organization intends to launch “rapid, large-scale advertising” designed to make Talarico appealing to moderate voters while encouraging Republicans uncomfortable with Paxton to consider backing the Democrat.

The campaign plans to focus heavily on issues such as affordability, ethics, and character rather than ideological battles.

Dane Waters, the group’s treasurer and senior adviser, made clear that Paxton would be the central target. “Every major Republican PAC in the world is going to be out there trying to protect and save Paxton,” Waters said. “We’re going to be involved in making sure voters remember who Ken Paxton is — the fact that he is the most scandal-ridden politician in recent history.”

Millions of dollars could flood the race

The size of the proposed effort is drawing attention across the political world.

Moment of Truth PAC is seeking to spend as much as $62 million before Election Day on advertising, research, polling, and voter outreach. Even its lower spending goal would involve roughly $41 million, enough to establish a major presence across Texas media markets.

The group officially registered with the Federal Election Commission in April. Waters declined to discuss current fundraising totals but indicated that advertisements could begin appearing within weeks. Its first public financial disclosures are expected in mid-July. The leadership team reflects the bipartisan nature of the project.

Waters previously worked on presidential campaigns for Republicans including George H.W. Bush, Phil Gramm, John McCain, and John Kasich. He is joined by Washington attorney Ron Jacobs, a Federalist Society member who previously worked on efforts supporting former Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman.

Democratic figures are also involved, including veteran ad strategist Mark Putnam, who worked on presidential campaigns for Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and pollster Geoff Garin, whose clients have included organizations aligned with Senate Democratic leadership.

Talarico distances himself from the effort

Despite the PAC’s clear support for his candidacy, Talarico’s campaign has publicly rejected any connection to the organization.

Campaign spokesman JT Ennis stressed that the candidate has no involvement with the group and criticized the role of large outside spending in politics. “Shady PACs like Moment of Truth PAC are why we need to get big money out of politics,” Ennis said. He added, “They are the embodiment of the broken, corrupt political system our campaign is running against, where DC insiders look to make a profit off this movement to take power back for working people.”

Talarico has frequently called for major campaign finance reforms. He has advocated banning super PACs, ending corporate PAC contributions, restricting congressional stock trading, and eliminating partisan gerrymandering.

However, his campaign has also benefited from support from another outside group, Lone Star Rising PAC. That organization has spent heavily in support of Talarico since he launched his Senate campaign and has become one of the most active super PACs backing any Democratic candidate in the country.

Lone Star Rising officials have praised Talarico’s message and fundraising success. “After raising nearly $9 million through March and millions since, Lone Star Rising PAC is the preeminent super PAC supporting James Talarico and bringing his principled, faith-driven vision that leads with humility, listens with purpose and puts people first to Washington,” board chair Michelle Castillo said.

Paxton’s controversies become central issue

Moment of Truth’s strategy appears built around the belief that Paxton’s political vulnerabilities could persuade some conservatives to abandon their party’s nominee. The Texas attorney general has faced numerous controversies over the years.

He was impeached by the Texas House in 2023 following allegations involving corruption and abuse of power. The Republican-controlled Texas Senate later acquitted him. Federal investigators also reviewed claims made by former aides who accused him of wrongdoing, though the Justice Department ultimately declined to pursue charges.

Separately, Paxton spent nearly a decade facing felony securities fraud charges before prosecutors dropped the case in exchange for restitution payments and legal ethics training. His personal life has also drawn attention after his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, filed for divorce on “biblical grounds,” alleging infidelity. Paxton has consistently denied wrongdoing.

Moment of Truth believes these issues could resonate with voters who normally support Republicans. In a donor presentation, the PAC pointed to polling suggesting that nearly one-third of Republicans who supported Sen. John Cornyn during the GOP primary could be willing to vote for Talarico in the general election. “These voters are not abandoning conservative principles,” the PAC argued. “Their concerns are not primarily ideological. They are concerns about judgment, character, accountability and whether public trust still matters in American politics.”

The group plans to focus on several key voting blocs, including moderate Republicans, religious voters, Latino voters, Black voters, and younger Texans who often skip midterm elections. Waters summarized the strategy by saying, “What we’re going to be very critical in helping people understand is that, hey, this isn’t about agreeing with everything that Talarico stands for — if you’re Republican, you’re not becoming a Democrat, or if you’re an independent or a moderate, you’re not just suddenly becoming a Democrat.” “It’s a matter of understanding the national consequences of this race.”

With both parties preparing to spend enormous sums and early polling showing a competitive contest, Texas is rapidly becoming one of the most important Senate battlegrounds in the country.