“Republicans in America’s biggest red state don’t usually have to play defense. But less than three weeks before election day, they are panicking. Ken Paxton, the scandal-plagued Senate candidate, is trailing James Talarico in the polls,” The Economist reports.“Since early September, national Republicans have poured about $200m into ads in a bid to save his campaign—and their Senate majority. Greg Abbott, Texas’s three-term governor, has won past elections by double digits, but this year is being forced to fend off a Democratic challenger, Gina Hinojosa, outspending her six-to-one over the summer.”Said President Trump, earlier this month: “We’re worried about Texas.”Los Angeles Times: In tight Texas Senate race, Trump’s immigration crackdown tests Republicans’ hold on voters.