Where Paxton, Talarico and Brown stand on tariffs, the gas tax and data centers as Senate early voting nears

With early voting for the Nov. 3 election opening Monday, Oct. 19, The Texas Tribune on Tuesday published a side-by-side look at where the three U.S. Senate candidates on the Texas ballot stand on a dozen issues, from tariffs and the gas tax to data centers and license plate cameras.

The race pits Republican Ken Paxton, the state attorney general, against Democrat James Talarico, a four-term state representative from Austin, and Libertarian Ted Brown. Paxton beat Sen. John Cornyn, the incumbent, in the Republican primary. Paxton served 12 years in the Legislature representing the McKinney area before becoming attorney general in 2015.

Talarico and Brown answered the Tribune's questionnaire. Paxton did not, so the Tribune filled in his positions from past public statements where it could and noted the questions where it found none.

Where they differ

Tariffs. Talarico said the tariffs should be repealed, arguing they have raised costs for families. Brown said only Congress has the power to set tariffs and that he would undo every tariff change made by President Donald Trump. The Tribune found no direct answer from Paxton, but noted that in April 2025 he said he fully supported the president's tariff actions.

Gas tax. Paxton supports permanently repealing the federal gas tax, according to the Tribune. Talarico said he would suspend it and back ending the Iran war. Brown said he would repeal it entirely.

Data centers. Paxton's plan calls for more efficient water systems, having the industry cover its own infrastructure costs and ending state sales tax breaks, and he has said data centers should not be built next to homes. Talarico said large power users should pay for the grid upgrades they need and that communities should decide whether to allow them. Brown said data centers should plan for their own power and water and receive no taxpayer subsidies.

Big Bend border wall. Paxton has called construction in the park "not smart border security" and welcomed the August pause. Talarico and Brown both oppose building a wall through the park.

License plate readers. Talarico called constant, warrantless plate-reader surveillance government overreach. Brown said he would bar federal funds for the cameras and require police to get a warrant for the data. The Tribune found no public comment from Paxton on the question.

Four write-in candidates are also in the race. Early voting runs through Oct. 30, and Collin County's deadline for mail ballot applications is Oct. 23.

Sources

The Texas Tribune