Vice President Vance is back in Texas on Thursday for a last-minute push in one of the most competitive Senate races in the country, as Republicans scramble to protect their fragile majority.
Vance is headlining a rally in Weatherford, Texas, on behalf of Republican nominee Ken Paxton, who is locked in a tight contest with Democrat James Talarico. Decision Desk HQ rates the race a toss-up, with its latest forecast giving Talarico a 57 percent chance of winning.
The vice president's visit comes just days after former President Trump campaigned in Corpus Christi and Lubbock. The GOP's top ticket is fanning out across the South in the final stretch, hoping to energize the base amid headwinds from the economy and the ongoing conflict in Iran, which have weighed on Trump's approval ratings.
Republicans are defending a narrow Senate majority, and Texas has emerged as an unexpected battleground. Paxton, the state's attorney general, is facing a strong challenge from Talarico, a state representative who has gained traction with a message focused on kitchen-table issues and bipartisan appeal.
Analysts point to split-ticket voters as a key factor in the Texas race, with some Republicans potentially crossing over to support Talarico while still backing GOP candidates downballot. The outcome could have national implications, as control of the Senate may hinge on a handful of states.
Vance's appearance also underscores his role as a top surrogate for the administration, though some Republican strategists have questioned his broader appeal beyond Trump's base. Still, the vice president has been a frequent presence in battleground states, including a recent trip to North Carolina.
The Weatherford rally is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. EDT. It is part of a coordinated push by the GOP to shore up support in Texas, where early voting numbers have shown strong turnout in both urban and rural areas.
Democrats see Talarico as a rare opportunity to flip a Texas Senate seat, and national groups have poured money into the race. Republicans, meanwhile, are counting on Paxton's name recognition and the state's conservative lean to carry them through.
With Election Day approaching, both parties are treating Texas as a must-win. The outcome could set the tone for the next Congress and shape the legislative agenda for years to come.
