28 Oct Trump, Talarico rally supporters in Lubbock on same night

President Donald Trump and Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico held rallies in Lubbock on Tuesday a few miles apart, each urging supporters to turn out before the Nov. 3 general election, according to the Avalanche-Journal. Trump spoke in support of Republican Ken Paxton, the state attorney general, who is Talarico’s opponent for the Senate seat. Lubbock County typically votes Republican by wide margins.

Trump appeared at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, where officials said the main hall, with room for about 5,200, was full and an overflow room held roughly 1,300 more. Talarico spoke at the Fiesta Center in northeast Lubbock to about 4,000 people inside and outside the venue.

Trump’s visit was the first by a sitting president to Lubbock in more than 34 years, since George H.W. Bush came in September 1992. The stop followed a rally for Paxton earlier in the day in Corpus Christi. Trump spoke for nearly two hours, citing tariffs and border security among his accomplishments and saying he needs a Republican Congress to keep his agenda moving. He asked the crowd to act as if he were on the ballot, saying turnout is higher when he is. He also pledged a $5,000 payment to every adult citizen if Republicans prevail, saying tariff revenue and a strong economy would pay for it.

The Civic Center program included Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, outgoing U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, state Sen. Charles Perry, state Rep. Carl Tepper and Lubbock Mayor Mark McBrayer. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whom Trump called to the stage late in his remarks, briefly praised the president. Paxton said the election may turn on West Texas, which he called the state’s most Republican region, and asked voters to bring out every Republican over the next seven days. Tom Sell, the Republican nominee in U.S. House District 19, where he faces Democrat Kyle Rable, urged supporters to back the full Republican ticket even if they dislike some of the candidates. Texas Tech University System Chancellor Brandon Creighton and Board of Regents Chairman Cody Campbell also encouraged support for the GOP. Police said one apparent protester was removed by officers and was not arrested.

Talarico brought his “Clear Eyes, Full Heart” tour to the Fiesta Center, where he criticized Paxton and other Republican officeholders and responded to Trump’s criticism of him. He addressed data centers, the cost of living, political corruption and overseas wars, and said voters are ready for change. Talarico said Paxton represents what is wrong with politics and called on him to repay taxpayer money he allegedly used for purposes beyond his job.

His stated agenda if elected includes a ban on corporate PAC contributions, a bar on stock trading by senators, term limits and a statewide prohibition on gerrymandering. He closed by comparing Texas Democrats to David facing Goliath, with voters as the slingshot, and described his party as the underdog in the final stretch of the campaign.

Rable, railroad commissioner candidate Jon Rosenthal, state Senate District 28 candidate Riley Rodriquez and state House District 83 candidate Malik Williams were among the Democrats who joined Talarico.