Election Day: Major Texas races remain close

One of the most closely watched races in the country right here in Texas, that's Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Tallarico battling for a seat in the U.S. Senate with the outcome potentially playing a huge role in which party controls Washington. Yeah, you're right. It is a huge race nationally, not just statewide. Good day, Austin. Juliana Jackson here with a look at the final push from both candidates. Morning, Juliana. Good morning, Katie and Dave. This has been a really heated race from the start with both candidates taking direct aim at each other in this final stretch. And after months of campaigning and millions of dollars spent on those campaigns, it's up to Texas voters to decide who they want representing them in Washington. This is a race that could come down to the wire and could help decide control of the U.S. Senate. Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton is facing Democratic State Representative James Tallarico, both hoping to replace longtime Senator John Cornyn. Polls have shown both candidates essentially tied from the start. But a new poll by Fox News this week shows Tallarico with a seven-point lead. And in the final stretch, both candidates have been making their case to Texans while we're warning voters about what's at stake. is too important to take for granted, this is a fight we cannot lose. We are in the fight of our lives. It is the fight of our generation. It is the fight to decide who does Texas belong to My opponent, Gina Menjosa, wants to California our Texas, and we are not going to let that happen in our state. She is being funded by billionaires from California, from Illinois, from New York, whose greatest vision is to turn Texas blue. You all are a sea of red who will ensure that will never happen in our state. That was sound from the governor's race. We've been covering both of these races side by side. They have both been watched nationwide, but you can stay tuned later on to hear from both of the Senate candidates, but Tallarico has centered his campaign on affordability and government accountability while Paxton has focused on conservative values, immigration and keeping Texas red. Democrats haven't won a statewide election in Texas in more than 30 years and Republicans are fighting to keep a Senate seat they've held for decades. So one of the biggest questions heading into today is whether independent voters and Republicans who maybe undecided about Paxton could make this difference. We'll be watching the turnout throughout tonight.