The Talarico town hall on Wednesday night gave Texas Democrat James Talarico about 90 minutes to answer voter questions while his Republican opponent, Ken Paxton, stayed out of the room. CNN and Jubilee Media co-hosted the event, and CNN anchor Erin Burnett moderated. With the U.S. Senate race rated a toss-up, the program became another chapter in a debate over debates.
Talarico took questions alone on stage, pitched bipartisan cooperation, defended past remarks and addressed rumors about his recent flu absence. Paxton was invited but did not appear. Polling averages show Talarico slightly ahead in a race that analysts still call a toss-up.
What happened at the Talarico town hall
Talarico, a state lawmaker and Presbyterian seminarian, appeared solo and fielded questions from Burnett and an audience of Texans, The Hill reported. He argued that people in both parties are on the same team and should work together on issues such as border security, the fast growth of data centers and everyday costs for Texas families.
He also said he would stand up to his own party when Texas interests require it. Talarico told voters he was running to represent all Texans, not any party or any other state.
Near the end, he said he had avoided talking about Paxton on purpose because he wants people to vote for him, not only against his rival. He then accused Paxton of corruption. That is Talarico’s own characterization, and this article does not treat it as established fact.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee responded quickly. A regional spokesperson said Texans would not believe Talarico’s account of himself.
How the CNN and Jubilee event came together
CNN announced the event on Sept. 28 as its first partnership with Jubilee, the digital company known for conversation-style video formats, according to TheWrap. The program aired live on CNN and was later made available on demand and on Jubilee’s YouTube channel. Talarico took questions from Burnett and from Texas voters who plan to vote in November.
Axios reported that CNN chose the audience and produced the show, keeping editorial control over topics, questions and moderation. Jubilee offered input on the format, aimed in part at younger viewers. Axios also noted that Jubilee’s YouTube channel has about 11 million subscribers.
Faith, abortion and past remarks
Faith was a major theme of the Talarico town hall. Talarico described Christianity as central to his outlook and spoke about it in a way meant to connect with voters of different backgrounds.
Abortion and common ground
An independent voter asked how his pro-choice position fits with his faith. Talarico said people can reach different moral conclusions about the legality of abortion and still agree on practical steps. He suggested treating the issue as a public health matter, with a shared goal of fewer unplanned pregnancies and fewer abortions.
Capitalism and a 2021 comment
He was also pressed on a 2020 remark that described capitalism as oppressive, which sits awkwardly beside his current description of himself as a proud capitalist. Talarico said he had been criticizing what he called crony capitalism, not free enterprise in general.
On his 2021 comment that God is nonbinary, which Republicans have used in attacks, he said he was being provocative. He argued the underlying theological point, that human categories cannot fully describe God, is widely held and not controversial.
Talarico responds to the flu absence and rumors
Burnett asked about Talarico’s recent absence from the campaign trail. He said staying home while sick was the responsible choice. He added that the week away set off false claims online, including that he had left the race.
Paxton’s campaign had questioned his whereabouts during the break, and President Donald Trump called on Talarico to report to a debate stage, according to Scripps News coverage. Burnett noted that CNN’s invitation to Paxton still stands, and Paxton has avoided Talarico’s debate calls.
Where the Texas Senate race stands
Decision Desk HQ’s polling average has Talarico ahead by about 2.5 percentage points, and three new polls released this week show him leading, The Hill said. Polls are snapshots and can shift, and the race is still rated a toss-up.
That is notable in Texas, where Republicans have dominated statewide offices for decades and where Democrats have not won a statewide race in that time. Paxton won the Republican nomination over Sen. John Cornyn. The attention around Talarico has drawn comparisons to Beto O’Rourke’s 2018 campaign against Sen. Ted Cruz, which ended with a narrow loss.
Republicans have also stepped up their presence. The party held its first midterm convention in Dallas last month. Trump has made two more visits to Texas for Paxton since then, and Vice President JD Vance held a rally there last week. The New York Times recently published an audio clip in which Paxton said the convention hurt his numbers.
The Texas A&M Memorial Student Center had also invited both candidates to a 90-minute debate on the same date, KBTX reported in late September. At that time neither campaign had committed to it.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Talarico Town Hall
Who hosted the event?
CNN and Jubilee Media co-hosted it, with CNN anchor Erin Burnett as moderator.
Did Ken Paxton take part?
No. CNN invited him, and the invitation still stands, according to Burnett. Paxton has avoided Talarico’s calls to debate.
What did Talarico say about his time off the trail?
He said he stayed home with the flu to avoid getting others sick and called online rumors about him false.
How is Talarico polling against Paxton?
Decision Desk HQ’s average shows him ahead by roughly 2.5 points, and three new polls this week also show him leading.
Where can people watch it?
The Talarico town hall aired live on CNN, is available on demand for CNN subscribers, and is set to appear on Jubilee’s YouTube channel.
