LUBBOCK, Texas — Two rallies, two crowds and two very different visions for Texas converged in deep-red Lubbock on Tuesday night as Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico made their cases to voters. Trump supporters camped out at Lubbock’s Civic Center as early as Monday night, calling the event a "once-in-a-lifetime experience." About four miles away, roughly 4,000 Talarico supporters descended on the neighborhood around the Fiesta Center. The rallies put Lubbock’s political identity on display.
Long a ruby-red Republican stronghold, the city is now a battleground in a Senate race. Polls show Talarico narrowly leading Paxton. Outside Paxton’s rally, supporters remained confident the Lone Star State would stay red.
Jenny, who traveled from Brownsville, dismissed the idea that the race was close. "What else do the Democrats have? They have Talarico going against Paxton," she told Fox News Digital.
"All they’ve got is the ability to try and make people think that it’s close and there is no point in voting." "No, it’s not close," Jenny added. "Paxton is going to wipe the floor with him." MEET THE VOTERS WHO COULD BREAK THE GOP’S DECADESLONG GRIP ON A REPUBLICAN STRONGHOLD Eric, a Lubbock resident, also predicted a Republican win, saying Democratic policies do not align with his views. "Most of the Democrats that you talk to, when you start talking common sense to them, a lot of them, they don’t know if it’s a red or a blue policy, and a lot of them line up with red as well," he said.
"It’s gonna stay red, absolutely." Nathan, from Milton, said he wants to preserve what he sees as Texas’ traditional values, including gun rights and opposition to abortion. "I want to make sure we are keeping all the normal values that we have in Texas," he said. "I want to make sure that we are keeping our guns, we are keeping our safety, keeping abortion as far away from Texas and do everything we can to keep Texas, Texas." Across town, Talarico supporters said Trump’s appearance alongside Paxton showed Republicans were worried about losing ground in a reliably red state.
Trump’s in Lubbock, Texas? He’s scared, he is scared," one supporter told Fox News Digital. Natalie, from Friona, also viewed the same-day rallies as a sign of nervousness.
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