The winner is one of two senators who represent all 31 million Texans. In Washington, they vote on every federal law — Social Security, Medicare, what you pay for prescriptions and in taxes — and they alone confirm the Supreme Court justices.
The Democratic candidate
James Talarico
DemocratAbout James
Talarico has served in the Texas House since 2018 and is a rising star in Texas politics. His Christian faith is at the center of his politics — and so is his belief in the separation of church and state and his opposition to Christian Nationalism.
It has been 33 years since Texas sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate, and every day it looks more possible: more and more moderate Republicans are turning away from far-right extremes and from politicians tangled in corruption — like Talarico's opponent, Ken Paxton. As a State Rep, Talarico, a diabetic himself, fought for and won a $25-a-month cap on insulin in Texas, a fight for the three million Texans who share the disease — and, as a former middle-school teacher, fought tirelessly for a $15,000 pay raise for Texas teachers, librarians, counselors and nurses.
Also on the ballot
Every candidate who filed for this office appears here. Tap a name to read more.
Ken PaxtonAbout Ken
Impeached by his own party, acquitted by the Senate — and still standing. Few politicians have survived more.
Born in North Dakota and trained as a J.C. Penney corporate attorney, Paxton spent a decade as Texas's top law enforcement officer while facing securities fraud charges. In 2025, as he launched his Senate campaign, his wife — a sitting Texas state senator — filed for divorce, citing adultery on biblical grounds.
Ted BrownAbout Ted
A retired insurance claims adjuster who set the Libertarian record for a Texas U.S. Senate campaign, pulling more than 267,000 votes in 2024.
Brown, 65, is a retired insurance claims adjuster and small-government activist who lives in Austin's Wells Branch neighborhood. He graduated from UCLA in 1984 with a degree in political science. In 2024 he won more than 267,000 votes for U.S. Senate, a record for a Libertarian candidate in Texas, and he's running again in 2026 against Ken Paxton and James Talarico.
Where to vote
Hays County uses vote centers — any registered Hays County voter can vote at any open location in the county. Locations and hours by city: