DALLAS — Texas Republican conventioneers on Wednesday framed the state's marquee Senate race as a battle of good vs. evil. Both Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner said electing Attorney General Ken Paxton goes beyond typical partisan politics. "It's not a Republican-Democrat issue anymore. It's a matter of darkness and light," Patrick said at a ...

People attend opening night of the 2026 Republican Convention at American Airlines Center on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Dallas.

Abigail Dollins/Star-Telegram/TNS

DALLAS — Texas Republican conventioneers on Wednesday framed the state's marquee Senate race as a battle of good vs. evil.

Both Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner said electing Attorney General Ken Paxton goes beyond typical partisan politics.

"It's not a Republican-Democrat issue anymore. It's a matter of darkness and light," Patrick said at a breakfast event Wednesday hosted by the Republican Party of Texas in downtown Dallas. "Darkness and light in a way we've never seen before because we've never had a candidate on the other side hold the Bible up and say he's a Christian, but he hates Christianity."

Patrick referenced comments from state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for Senate, who said in 2021 that he "always thinks of myself as a Christian who hates Christianity."

Talarico has said his criticism is aimed at versions of Christianity that he believes depart from Jesus' teachings, which he cites as the basis for his progressive politics.

Turner, a Richardson native, did not name either candidate but said the choice was clear.

"Light must prevail, not darkness," he said. "That's more than just keeping it red. Not just for us, but for generations to come."

Patrick said Republicans need to get over their reservations about any candidate, referencing Trump's recent comments about Attorney General Ken Paxton's appearance and lackluster interview skills.

"I'll take a poorly dressed conservative Republican over a crazy, insane, blasphemous, fake Christian," Patrick said.

Patrick and Turner's comments showed that the Senate race has remained a focal point for Republicans in Texas, even as Patrick and other statewide Republicans run for reelection.

Talarico has posted impressive fundraising numbers and outspent Paxton by a wide margin. As he's dominated the airwaves, multiple political analysis groups have said Texas is in play for Democrats. That, in part, has prompted the Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. and Elon Musk's political action committee to pledge to spend millions to support Paxton.

Kathie Turner, a Houston Republican who attended the state GOP event, said she agreed with Patrick's comments and politics is always about choosing between right and wrong.

"Where would God stand on this one?" she said, adding that the clear choice was Paxton.

The event was the unofficial kickoff for attendees from across the state who will end their day with a speech by President Donald Trump at American Airlines Center.

Texas GOP Chair D'rinda Randall said Trump invigorates the party base.

"It's the energy and the focus and the drive to make sure everybody knows that we are a pro-God, pro-family, pro-business party, and we're going to win in November," Randall said.

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