Talarico hounds Paxton as ‘anti-puppy’ as Dems hunt for scandals that stick in Texas

State Rep. James Talarico campaigned with dogs and puppies late last week in a bid to throw shade at his rival, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's (R) track record on canines, as Democrats look for an attack line that sticks to a candidate who survived a cheating scandal, impeachment, and more.

Data centers have become a central issue in the battle for the Senate in the Lone Star State.

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY: Good morning and happy Monday, readers! We hope you all had a great weekend. If you were in the D.C. area over the weekend, there was plenty to see, including catching the nation’s capital’s first-ever Indy 500 race, with Kyle Kirkwood securing the win.  Here’s what we have for you today: Welcom

He also backed the DATA Act, a bill by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, that would let data centers build off-the-grid power systems exempt from federal regulation.

Leftist Rep. Jasmine Crocket (D-TX) said the black community in her state is not too keen on Democrat U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico, her comments coming as the November midterms approach.

August 23, 2026 3:12 PM ET Democrats are warning that their party’s nominee to be the next senator for Texas, James Talarico, apparently lacks the amount of support from black voters he needs to flip the traditionally Republican state.“Listen, my home state of Texas, we feel incredibly encouraged for two reasons,” Ashl

Politicians Turn Against Data Centers as Anger Over AI Spreads  WSJ

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott delivered one of the starkest warnings yet from a Republican executive to the AI industry, telling ABC's Jonathan Karl that data center companies "dug their own grave" and deserve the backlash they're facing after failing to win community support. Why it matters: Abbott is the latest governor to

Abbott also spoke with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl about Trump’s job performance.

The Democrat has had TV nearly to himself, outspending his Republican rival more than 200-to-1 on advertising