--- title: "Democratic Rally Draws Large Crowd in Lubbock Texas" url: https://newscentral.site/democratic-rally-draws-large-crowd-in-lubbock-texas/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Politics" published: 2026-10-28T03:38:45.000Z updated: 2026-10-28T06:25:11.617Z id: 92782d0c-7c47-4594-916f-fc927af3cc79 source: "NBC News Politics https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/james-talarico-faces-trump-dueling-texas-rallies-elections-final-days-rcna605629" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/democratic-rally-draws-large-crowd-in-lubbock-texas/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Democratic Rally Draws Large Crowd in Lubbock Texas A large crowd gathered for a Democratic Senate candidate rally in Lubbock, Texas, where James Talarico spoke to supporters about change and reform. The city of Lubbock, Texas, was abuzz as it welcomed a sitting president for the first time in 34 years, but the crowd gathered wasn't necessarily there to see Donald Trump. Instead, people waited in lines that stretched for blocks on the east side of the city, eager to attend an evening rally featuring Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico. Dr. Tim Jones, a 66-year-old emergency room physician, was among those waiting, and he estimated that many in attendance were closet Democrats who had grown increasingly disillusioned with the current administration's policies. We're all upset about gas prices, diesel prices, inflation, lies, the war, it's just the corruption, Dr. Jones said, gesturing to the crowd around him. He specifically mentioned the controversy surrounding the construction of a new ballroom at the White House, which he deemed "pathetic. Less than 3 miles away, Trump held his own rally at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, where he introduced several notable figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. As the election draws to a close, Democratic candidate James Talarico has maintained a narrow lead in recent polling, sparking a last-ditch effort by Republicans to sway undecided voters. Talarico's decision to campaign on Republican turf is seen as a strategic move to win over crossover votes that could be crucial for his victory. His message of change and reform resonated with supporters at the rally, where they emphasized the need to break decades of Republican control in the state. The Democratic campaign has been critical of incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton, accusing him of corruption and cronyism. Talarico seized on this theme, portraying Paxton as a loyal servant of President Trump rather than a public official accountable to the people. Talarico also took aim at tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has invested heavily in Texas business interests and supported Paxton's candidacy with significant donations. He accused Musk of trying to buy influence through his financial backing of Paxton's campaign. The Republican campaign responded by portraying Talarico as out of touch with everyday Texans, citing his earlier absence from the campaign trail due to illness as evidence of his unfitness for office. The Republican campaign in Texas has been hit by internal divisions and personal scandals, which have put a strain on their chances of success. Paxton's own controversies have weighed heavily on his popularity among voters. This infighting is an ongoing issue for the party, with some Republicans still reeling from the aftermath of the primary election, where Trump endorsed Paxton over more establishment-friendly candidate Sen. John Cornyn. The endorsement had significant implications for the Texas Republican Party, causing divisions that continue to affect their campaign efforts. Paxton has sought to capitalize on his relationship with Trump, who has been a key figure in the party's efforts to mobilize voters. Trump has visited Texas three times this month, holding rallies and campaigning alongside Paxton. At one of these events, Paxton took the stage to introduce Trump, praising their bond with the crowd. Meanwhile, Rubio was given a speaking part at the rally, a move that could be seen as an attempt by Republicans to broaden their appeal to a wider range of voters. Rubio's involvement in the campaign has been relatively limited until now, but his decision to take on a more prominent role may signal a shift in strategy for the party. The Texas rallies held by James Talarico and Donald Trump in the final days of the election season have been drawing large crowds, with over 4,000 people attending Talarico's event in Lubbock. At the rally, Trump branded Talarico as an anti-gun extremist" and claimed that he and Attorney General Ken Paxton were the only things standing between Talarico becoming a senator. --- Source: [NBC News Politics](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/james-talarico-faces-trump-dueling-texas-rallies-elections-final-days-rcna605629) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/democratic-rally-draws-large-crowd-in-lubbock-texas/