government
James Talarico raises over $30 million in second quarter, campaign says, more than triple Ken Paxton’s sum
By Kayla Guo, Texas Tribune at Houston Public Media (NPR/PBS)
· July 9, 2026
· 1 min read
The Austin Democrat’s haul is a record for a U.S. Senate candidate in the second quarter of an election year and is nearly three times what Beto O’Rourke raised in the same period in 2018.
Key takeaway Senate candidate in the second quarter of an election year and is nearly three times what Beto O’Rourke raised in the same period in 2018.
Why this matters in The Bellaire
For Bellaire residents, James Talarico's significant fundraising haul has implications for the upcoming election. As a community within the Houston area, Bellaire's voters will be closely watching the US Senate race, and Talarico's ability to raise over $30 million in the second quarter could indicate a strong showing in Harris County. The fact that his fundraising total is nearly three times what Beto O'Rourke raised in the same period in 2018 suggests that Talarico's campaign is gaining momentum. Bellaire voters who have been engaged in local issues such as city government and public safety may also be interested in how Talarico's campaign platform addresses these concerns at the state and federal level. As the election season heats up, Bellaire residents can expect to see more campaign activity and outreach in their community.
About this story
Original reporting by Houston Public Media (NPR/PBS) . The Bellaire surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Houston Public Media (NPR/PBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: Houston Public Media (NPR/PBS) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Austin Democrat’s haul is a record for a U.S. Senate candidate in the second quarter of an election year and is nearly three times what Beto O’Rourke raised in the same period in 2018.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by Houston Public Media (NPR/PBS) and curated for The Bellaire readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kayla Guo, Texas Tribune at Houston Public Media (NPR/PBS). To learn more about how The Bellaire selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Bellaire, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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