Talarico vs. Paxton / Issues / Abortion
Where do Talarico and Paxton stand on abortion?
Short answer
James Talarico supports federal law protecting abortion rights and voted against Texas's abortion ban, which he has criticized for having no exceptions for rape or incest. Ken Paxton supports Texas's near-total ban, and as attorney general he has sued to block emergency-care abortion guidance and threatened a hospital that planned to end a woman's dangerous pregnancy.
Side by side
Talarico
Paxton
Position
Supports federal legislation protecting abortion rights.
Supports Texas's near-total abortion ban; campaign pledges to “defend the unborn.”
Texas ban
Voted against it; has criticized its lack of rape and incest exceptions.
Has defended it in court as attorney general.
Medical emergencies
—
Sued the federal government to block guidance requiring ER doctors to provide emergency abortions. In 2023, threatened legal action against a hospital if it let doctors end Kate Cox's pregnancy, despite a court-granted exception.
Abortion pills by mail
—
Sued providers in New York, Delaware, California and the Netherlands over mailing abortion medication to Texans.
IVF
—
Recently signaled openness to restrictions on IVF.
Side-by-side drawn from the sources listed below.
Key facts
- Talarico has talked about supporting abortion rights in the context of his Christian faith. Texas Tribune
- Paxton's office observes June 24, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade's overturn, as a holiday. Texas Tribune
- Paxton has not said how he would approach abortion in the Senate. Texas Tribune