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How Paxton vs. Talarico compares to Cruz vs. O'Rourke

We examine how this year's U.S. Senate race in Texas matches up with the 2018 race.

News

With polls showing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tight U.S. Senate race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/04/poll-talarico-has-slim-lead-over-paxton-in-texas-senate-race" data-vars-content-id="5c128b8c-c462-43b9-b339-965a852cc6aa" data-vars-headline="How Paxton vs. Talarico compares to Cruz vs. O&#x27;Rourke" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/04/poll-talarico-has-slim-lead-over-paxton-in-texas-senate-race" target="_self">tight U.S. Senate race</a> between <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democrat James Talarico" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/04/talarico-crockett-democratic-primary-senate-texas" data-vars-content-id="5c128b8c-c462-43b9-b339-965a852cc6aa" data-vars-headline="How Paxton vs. Talarico compares to Cruz vs. O&#x27;Rourke" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/04/talarico-crockett-democratic-primary-senate-texas" target="_self">Democrat James Talarico</a> and Republican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ken Paxton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/27/thune-paxton-texas-senate-trump" data-vars-content-id="5c128b8c-c462-43b9-b339-965a852cc6aa" data-vars-headline="How Paxton vs. Talarico compares to Cruz vs. O&#x27;Rourke" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/27/thune-paxton-texas-senate-trump" target="_self">Ken Paxton</a>, we decided to see how this year matched up against 2018, the last time a Texas statewide election came down to the wire.Why it matters: Democrat Beto O&#x27;Rourke lost that year to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz by 2.6 percentage points, or about 215,000 votes, in a race that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="broke fundraising records" data-vars-click-url="https://www.texastribune.org/2018/12/07/beto-orourke-80-million-raised/" data-vars-content-id="5c128b8c-c462-43b9-b339-965a852cc6aa" data-vars-headline="How Paxton vs. Talarico compares to Cruz vs. O&#x27;Rourke" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.texastribune.org/2018/12/07/beto-orourke-80-million-raised/" target="_blank">broke fundraising records</a> and raised (and dashed) Democratic hopes of turning Texas blue.

Home concierge startup launches in Austin

The $199 monthly membership includes 90 minutes of handyman work.

Two ex-Uber execs are bringing their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" data-vars-content-id="a40ca4fe-f739-456e-99f0-e1e1748d410c" data-vars-headline="Home concierge startup launches in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" target="_self">home</a> maintenance startup Casa to Austin, promising to put household upkeep on autopilot.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Casa" data-vars-click-url="https://getcasa.com/" data-vars-content-id="a40ca4fe-f739-456e-99f0-e1e1748d410c" data-vars-headline="Home concierge startup launches in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://getcasa.com/" target="_blank">Casa</a> is betting homeowners will pay to outsource the chores that come with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="owning a home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/19/homeownership-housing-affordability-senate" data-vars-content-id="a40ca4fe-f739-456e-99f0-e1e1748d410c" data-vars-headline="Home concierge startup launches in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/19/homeownership-housing-affordability-senate" target="_self">owning a home</a>, from cleaning out a dryer vent to finding a reliable handyman when something breaks.

UT's University Democrats bring Hasan Piker to Austin

The University Democrats club at the University of Texas is hosting the divisive streamer for an event in Austin.

A popular but divisive left-wing streamer will make an appearance Wednesday at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="University of Texas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/09/17/university-texas-mexican-american-african-diaspora" data-vars-content-id="3bf6d113-5731-45df-a786-0e7186dc80d5" data-vars-headline="UT&#x27;s University Democrats bring Hasan Piker to Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/09/17/university-texas-mexican-american-african-diaspora" target="_self">University of Texas</a>, drawing controversy even before he steps on campus.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hasan Piker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/18/hasan-piker-aoc-2028-axios-show" data-vars-content-id="3bf6d113-5731-45df-a786-0e7186dc80d5" data-vars-headline="UT&#x27;s University Democrats bring Hasan Piker to Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/18/hasan-piker-aoc-2028-axios-show" target="_self">Hasan Piker</a> is scheduled to speak in Austin at the William C. Powers Student Activities Center at an event <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hosted by the University Democrats club" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DczcOBexCpM/?stkn=a3FzcDcxNGNmdHl2" data-vars-content-id="3bf6d113-5731-45df-a786-0e7186dc80d5" data-vars-headline="UT&#x27;s University Democrats bring Hasan Piker to Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DczcOBexCpM/?stkn=a3FzcDcxNGNmdHl2" target="_blank">hosted by the University Democrats club</a>.

What to know before going to ACL Music Festival

ACL Fest is due to kickoff this weekend with heavy rains in the forecast.

Austin City Limits Music Festival is due to kick off Friday, but a forecast of heavy rains could make it a slick mess.Why it matters: The festival takes over Zilker Park for two weekends each fall and brings thousands of music fans to Austin.

Airbnb invests $6.4M in Austin affordable housing

Airbnb's investment will support the construction of 201 affordable housing units at the site.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Airbnb" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/05/29/airbnb-experiences-austin" data-vars-content-id="9e4229b3-dc4e-46f0-b421-48d1e7732f34" data-vars-headline="Airbnb invests $6.4M in Austin affordable housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/05/29/airbnb-experiences-austin" target="_self">Airbnb</a> will spend $6.4 million to help turn a long-vacant property in northeast Austin into affordable housing, part of a new national push by the company to get stalled housing projects off the ground.Why it matters: The city bought the former Home Depot site at I-35 and St. Johns Avenue two decades ago, but efforts to develop it have dragged on for more than a decade.

A look inside Austin's newest luxury hotel

The hotel includes 252 rooms, a rooftop pool and restaurants.

A luxury hotel with an apiary, rooftop pool, multiple restaurants and a spa opened this week in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas&#x27; tallest building" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/01/29/whats-next-for-austin-skyline" data-vars-content-id="e725dc43-a69b-4ace-8d54-8d05a4e7ffab" data-vars-headline="A look inside Austin&#x27;s newest luxury hotel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/01/29/whats-next-for-austin-skyline" target="_self">Texas&#x27; tallest building</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="1 Hotel Austin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.1hotels.com/austin" data-vars-content-id="e725dc43-a69b-4ace-8d54-8d05a4e7ffab" data-vars-headline="A look inside Austin&#x27;s newest luxury hotel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.1hotels.com/austin" target="_blank">1 Hotel Austin</a> adds another major luxury hotel to Austin&#x27;s downtown hospitality scene, expanding the city&#x27;s appeal for high-end leisure and business travelers.

Texas Testbed: What's next for 3D-printed homes

3D-printed construction is expanding, but it's unclear whether it will drive down housing costs.

This report is part of &quot;Texas Testbed,&quot; a series on how the state is becoming a real-world lab for emerging technologies.Giant robotic printers are back at Community First! Village, building more than 100 homes as part of the East Austin neighborhood&#x27;s expansion for people coming out of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homelessness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/21/abbott-homeless-encampments-austin" data-vars-content-id="a0fb0998-8e58-4fbe-87a8-1320c8aac785" data-vars-headline="Texas Testbed: What&#x27;s next for 3D-printed homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/21/abbott-homeless-encampments-austin" target="_self">homelessness</a>.

Icon to sell its 3D-printing robots to builders

Icon has rapidly expanded its footprint in Central Texas in recent years.

Icon, the Austin-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="3D-printing construction company," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/11/icon-unveils-lakefront-3d-printed-homes" data-vars-content-id="92c68e09-5977-4307-8efc-ae1fa26cba54" data-vars-headline="Icon to sell its 3D-printing robots to builders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/11/icon-unveils-lakefront-3d-printed-homes" target="_self">3D-printing construction company,</a> is selling its technology to other builders for the first time, allowing them to operate the company&#x27;s latest robotic building system.Why it matters: The country is facing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing shortage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/10/real-estate-congress-housing-act" data-vars-content-id="92c68e09-5977-4307-8efc-ae1fa26cba54" data-vars-headline="Icon to sell its 3D-printing robots to builders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/10/real-estate-congress-housing-act" target="_self">housing shortage</a> coupled with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high construction costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/01/trump-tariff-exclusions-construction-housing-affordability" data-vars-content-id="92c68e09-5977-4307-8efc-ae1fa26cba54" data-vars-headline="Icon to sell its 3D-printing robots to builders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/01/trump-tariff-exclusions-construction-housing-affordability" target="_self">high construction costs</a>, and Icon is betting that automation can dramatically lower the cost of building homes.

Austin homeowners are staying put

Austin is seeing the longest homeowner tenure in at least 20 years.

Real Estate

Austin-area homeowners are staying in their houses for the longest time in at least 20 years, largely thanks to their low <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mortgage rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/07/19/texas-housing-supply-mortgages" data-vars-content-id="5e950bd0-a4e6-4840-838b-b714002c42b2" data-vars-headline="Austin homeowners are staying put" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/07/19/texas-housing-supply-mortgages" target="_self">mortgage rates</a>, data shows.Why it matters: That — along with still-high home prices and tight inventory — has kept the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="5e950bd0-a4e6-4840-838b-b714002c42b2" data-vars-headline="Austin homeowners are staying put" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" target="_self">housing market</a> on ice, though it may be thawing.

What's next for Austin's skyline

Austinites will see fewer cranes in the sky this year.

Downtown Austin is entering a new phase after years of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nonstop construction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/06/04/apartment-building-permits-plummet-austin" data-vars-content-id="ed1fb90b-a551-43e5-8e70-51613dc14f3e" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for Austin&#x27;s skyline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/06/04/apartment-building-permits-plummet-austin" target="_self">nonstop construction</a> — and experts say it&#x27;s a healthy shift, not a warning sign.Why it matters: Expect far fewer cranes in the sky compared to the years of a pandemic-era construction boom, when developers worked to build towers as fast as possible.

Real estate experts' hot Austin takes of 2026

Expect a softening in prices for at least the first half of the year.

We asked experts to give us their crystal ball predictions for Austin&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/10/austin-home-values-plummet" data-vars-content-id="348569bb-15b8-4ee0-a8e3-60ed5bcfc59b" data-vars-headline="Real estate experts&#x27; hot Austin takes of 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/10/austin-home-values-plummet" target="_self">housing market</a> in 2026.Why it matters: The fate of the housing market is tied to factors both national (like interest rates) and local (the job market) — and homeownership remains part of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="American dream" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/03/american-dream-job-market-housing-price-marriage" data-vars-content-id="348569bb-15b8-4ee0-a8e3-60ed5bcfc59b" data-vars-headline="Real estate experts&#x27; hot Austin takes of 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/03/american-dream-job-market-housing-price-marriage" target="_self">American dream</a>.

5 questions with French Cowboys Hospitality

They want to carve out a middle lane between budget hotels and luxury resorts.

A pair of French American hoteliers is turning forgotten properties into unique stays for weekend escapes.Why it matters: Franklin Dusserre and Dylan Petrich, owners and operators of Austin-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="French Cowboys Hospitality" data-vars-click-url="https://frenchcowboys.com/" data-vars-content-id="b3f8ea13-2ac4-4615-b9d3-ac08d76b9d2e" data-vars-headline="5 questions with French Cowboys Hospitality" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://frenchcowboys.com/" target="_blank">French Cowboys Hospitality</a>, want to carve out a middle lane between budget hotels and luxury resorts, and their strategy is to renovate neglected properties about two hours from a major city.

Icon unveils lakefront 3D printed homes

The lakefront Canyon Club along Lake Travis will have 25 homes, including five made with 3D printing.

Austin <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="company Icon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/11/29/icon-nasa-moon-construction-austin" data-vars-content-id="b7a7d254-c5c1-44ea-b8b4-a3a0d83463d2" data-vars-headline="Icon unveils lakefront 3D printed homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/11/29/icon-nasa-moon-construction-austin" target="_self">company Icon</a> has completed its first 3D printed model home at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Canyon Club" data-vars-click-url="https://www.canyonclub.com/" data-vars-content-id="b7a7d254-c5c1-44ea-b8b4-a3a0d83463d2" data-vars-headline="Icon unveils lakefront 3D printed homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.canyonclub.com/" target="_blank">The Canyon Club</a>, a luxury lakeside resort community about 45 minutes northwest of Austin.The big picture: It&#x27;s the latest development in Central Texas by Icon, which broke ground on 3D printed homes in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mueller neighborhood" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/03/04/austin-icon-houses-mueller" data-vars-content-id="b7a7d254-c5c1-44ea-b8b4-a3a0d83463d2" data-vars-headline="Icon unveils lakefront 3D printed homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/03/04/austin-icon-houses-mueller" target="_self">Mueller neighborhood</a> earlier this year.

Starter homes now top $1 million

Austin-area starter homes now top $1 million

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Real Estate 🏠

Home concierge startup launches in Austin

Airbnb invests $6.4M in Austin affordable housing

A look inside Austin's newest luxury hotel

Texas Testbed: What's next for 3D-printed homes

Austin-area starter homes now top $1 million