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Talarico challenges Paxton to TMZ debate
Talarico says Paxton has repeatedly ignored debate invitations, while Paxton told TMZ he doesn't know the terms; the poll has Talarico slightly ahead.
On air: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on BBN NewsroomPublished
Photo: Antonioaesparza · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on this story, from BBN Newsroom at 10:01 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The Hill's, the jokes are ours.
At a glance
- First reported by The Hill: “Talarico challenges 'Low T' Paxton to debate”, with reporting from Fox San Antonio.
- Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 10:01 AM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman.
- Topics: Talarico, Ken Paxton.
- BBN covered this story before: Michigan Senate debate, Texas crossover votes, LaMelo's travel (October 21).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- The HillTalarico challenges 'Low T' Paxton to debate
- Fox San AntonioTalarico challenges Paxton to a debate hosted by TMZ facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTexas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico has challenged Republican Ken Paxton to a debate hosted by TMZ, saying Paxton has ignored his invitations.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorTalarico says TMZ is the place because you get ahold of Ken Paxton more easily than most journalists do.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorPaxton told TMZ he doesn't know what all the terms are.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe terms are a debate, Dale.
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Photo: Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Eleifert · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Rklear · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
The story so far
- Obama defends Omar; Texas Senate race a toss-up · CBS News
- Cruz pushes Paxton; Michigan benches Underwood; service member dies · New York Post
- US Chamber of Commerce endorses Paxton over Talarico · The Hill
- Midterms 15 days out; Red Wings, Machado, Paxton, Ohio State · Yahoo Sports
- Texas Senate bus tours, UFC 333 trilogy and the CFP picture · ESPN
- Michigan Senate debate, Texas crossover votes, LaMelo's travel · Washington Examiner
- Talarico challenges Paxton to TMZ debate (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Thursday, October 22, 2026 · the U.S. archive · all months
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