The Texas Attorney General and Republican nominee for U.S. Senate spoke at an event hosted by the United States Hispanic Business Council. He touched on data centers, border security and bipartisanship in front of USHBC members and his own supporters. During a conversation with USHBC President and CEO Javier Polamarez, Paxton repeated his long-held position, saying border security has to come first, with any legislation prioritizing Americans already living here.
The same group plans to host Paxton's opponent, Democratic State Rep. James Talarico, at an event Wednesday in Edinburg. The back-to-back scheduling gives Hispanic business leaders a direct look at both Senate candidates within days of each other, ahead of a race that could shape how Texas handles immigration and labor policy for years.
For business owners who rely on immigrant labor, Paxton's openness to legal worker programs matters, even with the condition attached. He's not closing the door entirely, but he's tying it to border enforcement outcomes that remain unresolved. Voters in agriculture, hospitality and construction sectors across Texas will be watching whether that conditional support turns into an actual policy.
Two rival Senate candidates, two audiences with the same business group, one week apart. That's not a coincidence.