Talarico and Hinojosa urge North Texas voters to close gap in five-day sprint

Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico and gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa addressed supporters at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas on Thursday evening. The joint rally served as the final major appearance for both candidates in the North Texas region before Election Day.

Talarico described the final stretch of the campaign as a final drive, urging the crowd to execute with precision. He noted that the election is five days away and that voters in the state are counting on the ticket to win. The event marked the culmination of his Clear Eyes, Full Hearts Tour.

Current polling data shows Talarico holding a narrow lead over Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton. Hinojosa has narrowed the gap against incumbent Governor Greg Abbott in recent weeks. This shift coincides with increased financial investment from national Democratic groups in her campaign.

Statewide Democrats are relying on high turnout in the largest metropolitan areas to secure victory. Dallas County set an all-time record for Day 1 early voting last week. Travis, Bexar, and Harris counties have also broken midterm voting records. Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University, indicated that these turnout patterns are promising for the Democratic ticket.

Both campaigns have adopted populist messaging, framing the election as a contest between the ultra-wealthy and working families. Talarico specifically targeted Elon Musk, who has contributed at least $158 million to the Senate race, primarily through Super PACs. Talarico stated that Musk is attempting to buy influence in the state.

"Elon Musk wants our land," Talarico said. "He wants our water. He wants our tax dollars. He wants his very own personal United States senator. He is trying to buy Texas, but on November 3, we are going to deliver a crystal-clear message to the world’s first trillionaire: Texas is not for sale."

Talarico contrasted his grassroots fundraising with the billionaire-funded advertising blitzes of his Republican opponents. He cited a recent camera admission by Paxton that he had never had more control over campaign messaging. Talarico also pointed out that Paxton increased his net worth by $27 million since taking office and now owns 15 homes.

Hinojosa focused on healthcare and education, denying that she would implement a state income tax. She attacked Abbott’s voucher system, which passed as SB 2 in 2025. "Greg Abbott took $1 billion from neighborhood public schools to give to unaccountable private schools in his voucher scam," Hinojosa said.

Rev. Freddie Haynes, a Democratic congressional candidate, introduced Talarico. Haynes is expected to replace U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the House. Crockett lost the Senate primary to Talarico in March. Talarico and Hinojosa would become the first Democrats to hold their respective offices since 1988 and 1994.

The first early voting results are scheduled for release at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Hinojosa described the election as the fight of her generation, asking voters to decide if Texas will be a state by and for the people.