Trump says candidates who oppose gun rights should lose badly in Texas. James Talarico is betting a massive cash advantage proves him wrong.
President Donald Trump went after Democrat James Talarico’s gun-control positions at an October 27 rally in Corpus Christi, telling the crowd that opposing gun rights should sink anyone running statewide in Texas.
“If you’re running in Texas and if you don’t like guns and if you don’t like meat and if you don’t like oil, I think you should be losing by a lot,” Trump said, according to Texas Scorecard.
Trump endorsed Attorney General Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate and warned supporters not to assume the race is already won.
He has reason to worry.
Talarico’s Money Machine
According to Federal Election Commission records, Talarico’s campaign committees reported about $146.3 million in receipts through October 14. Paxton’s reported about $22.3 million.
That’s nearly seven dollars for Talarico for every dollar Paxton has raised.
Those figures count only money raised directly by the campaigns. Outside groups have also spent heavily in the race, including in support of Paxton and against Talarico. But the gap shows how much national money is flowing to the Democratic nominee in Texas.
Talarico Says a Gun Ban Is “Absolutely” on the Table
Trump’s attack lands because Talarico has already told voters where he stands.
As Texas Gun Rights reported in September, Talarico told NewsNation he could support an “assault weapons” ban or magazine restrictions, depending on the details. Asked whether an “assault weapons” ban was on the table, he answered: “Absolutely.”
Talarico says he supports the Second Amendment and Texans’ right to own firearms for self-defense, while arguing that constitutional rights are not absolute.
In practice, that means he’s open to federal bans on rifles and magazines that millions of Americans lawfully own today.
Why One Senate Seat Matters
Federal gun bans don’t pass without votes in the U.S. Senate, and margins there are often razor-thin. A single seat can decide whether an “assault weapons” ban or magazine limit becomes law nationwide, including in Texas.
Talarico is asking Texans for that seat.
“We Don’t Want Any Surprises”
Trump spent much of his Corpus Christi speech on turnout.
“We don’t want any surprises,” he told the crowd, according to Texas Scorecard.
Talarico has the money. He also said a gun ban is “absolutely” on the table. Texas gun owners get the last word on Tuesday.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting ends Friday, October 30. Find your polling place at VoteTexas.gov.
Chip in to Texas Gun Rights to keep federal gun bans out of Texas and hold every candidate accountable on the Second Amendment.
