The race for Texas’ U.S. Senate seat is entering a new phase as the two leading candidates build their campaign war chests and sharpen their messages ahead of the November election. Campaign finance figures released Thursday show Democratic state Rep. James Talarico raised $30 million during th e April, May and June reporting period, while Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton raised $9 million. According to the campaigns, both reported their strongest fundraising totals of the race so far. At the same time, Paxton is facing scrutiny following a report by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune examining where he voted in six elections over the past two years. The report said Paxton voted using a Collin County address where he owns a home with his wife while apparently living in neighboring Denton County with his girlfriend. Critics have alleged the situation amounts to voter fraud. Paxton’s campaign rejected those claims, calling the report “baseless” and saying Paxton “is a lawful, registered Texas voter in full compliance with the law.” Talarico referenced that issue Thursday while also criticizing a plea agreement reached by the Texas Attorney General’s Office in a child sexual abuse case. “Texans deserve answers. Texans deserve transparency. And it’s why we’re going to keep fighting to get those questions answered after a pedophile was let back on the street after just 29 days in jail,” Talarico said. Talarico is also working to unify Democrats after a competitive primary. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who backed another candidate during the primary, recently addressed criticism that she has not actively campaigned with Talarico. “People keep trying to say that Jasmine has to go and hold his hand, no. I don’t. Don’t worry about the math and how it works in my mind. Because the reality is if you can give people more than one thing to vote for, then you have a better chance to get them out to the polls,” Crockett said on the Native Land podcast. Talarico has said he is continuing to reach out to Black voters and Crockett supporters as the general election campaign ramps up. The campaigns are expected to file additional finance reports by July 15, which will identify their largest donors. ...read more read less