Talarico calls Paxton, leaves voicemail inviting him to debate - USA Today

Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico appears to have taken his debate challenge straight to his opponent’s voicemail.

In a 40-second video posted to X on Sept. 25, Talarico calls Republican Ken Paxton, but the call apparently goes to voicemail — Paxton does not appear to answer. The voicemail comes after Talarico said he would debate Paxton on Fox News in a previous interview at The Texas Tribune Festival.

"Texans start voting in less than a month and they deserve to hear from both of us before they do," Talarico said in the voicemail. "We haven't heard from you and we're running out of time."

Talarico has previously said Fox News would provide a “safe space” for Paxton and proposed debating with Bret Baier as moderator.

USA TODAY has reached out to the Paxton campaign to ask whether he will accept Talarico’s debate challenge but has not received a response.

It is also unclear whether Paxton has agreed to participate in any other debates. WFAA reported Sept. 22 that station management had been in contact with the Paxton campaign for weeks to arrange a potential debate, but the campaign had not responded to messages since Aug. 24.

Meanwhile, Paxton is scheduled to bring his “Protecting the Texas Promise” tour to El Paso on Wednesday, Sept. 30, with Brandon Herrera joining him. Herrera is the Republican nominee for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, which includes El Paso, and is a gun-rights advocate and YouTuber known online as “The AK Guy."

The tour promotes Paxton’s economic plan designed to increase affordability, an issue that has risen to the top of most Texas voters' list of priorities. Paxton says the plan would put thousands of dollars back in Texans’ pockets.

Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.