Talarico seeks Paxton depositions to spotlight past scandals

Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico is pressing to publicly release depositions in a Unity Resources case connected to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as part of an effort to emphasize Paxton’s history of scandals. He also highlights Paxton’s impeachment and past securities-fraud matters, framing them as indicators of ethical concerns. Pro-Talarico ads from Lone Star Rising mount a multi-million-dollar push portraying Paxton as one of the most corrupt politicians in Texas, with polls showing a tight race. The campaign also weaponizes Paxton’s handling of animal-testing records, referencing a 2015 Texas A&M confidential-information opinion and a PETA video, while Paxton’s office argues the information is protected by confidentiality and the veterinarian-client privilege. Talarico’s team has tied puppies and kennel-safety advocacy into their messaging, claiming a contrast with Paxton’s record on animal welfare. The overall picture is a highly competitive race where ethics and past controversies are central attack lines, even as Paxton survived impeachment and maintains significant support.