James Talarico and Ken Paxton appear likely to meet in at least one televised debate as they vie for the U.S. Senate in Texas, after both campaigns agreed on Thursday to an eventual showdown.

The exact terms and timing, as well as how many debates might happen, remained unclear. But it was notable that Mr. Paxton’s campaign agreed to debate at all: he has served more than 20 years in elected office and has declined to debate a political opponent since before he was elected to statewide office in 2014.

On Thursday morning, Mr. Talarico, a Democratic state representative, formally challenged Mr. Paxton, the Texas attorney general, to three televised debates. Within hours, Mr. Paxton’s campaign accepted the call, according to The Texas Tribune.

A face-to-face between the candidates would provide a signature moment in one of the most closely watched Senate races of 2026, and a potential turning point for both candidates.

The campaigns have not settled on specifics, leaving open the possibility that debate plans could fall through. JT Ennis, a campaign spokesman for Mr. Talarico, suggested Mr. Paxton might back out.

“Ken Paxton has a long record of saying he’ll show up for Texans then disappearing when it counts,” Mr. Ennis said. “We’ll believe him when he accepts these three debates and we see him on stage.”

Nick Maddux, a senior adviser to Mr. Paxton, declined to confirm the details to The New York Times, saying they were already public.

Democrats have not won a statewide election in Texas in more than 30 years. The party has invested its faith and funds in Mr. Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian who has tried to appeal to Democrats and Republicans with a message of compassionate Christianity.

Mr. Paxton emerged victorious from a bruising primary election against Senator John Cornyn, winning in a landslide runoff in May despite a steep fund-raising disadvantage. Mr. Paxton also faced constant attacks over his record of ethical and legal troubles, which Mr. Talarico could seize on in a debate.

A debate in a Texas Senate race would not be unusual. Senator Ted Cruz and Colin Allred, his Democratic challenger, debated in 2024. Mr. Talarico debated his primary opponent, Jasmine Crockett, a congresswoman from Dallas, earlier this year.

In his challenge, Mr. Talarico mocked Mr. Paxton for avoiding the stage in the past.

“Ken Paxton won’t answer the public’s questions because he’s not a public servant — he’s a puppet,” Mr. Talarico wrote in a statement.

Mr. Maddux told The Texas Tribune that Mr. Paxton intends to debate and added that Mr. Talarico was “out of touch” and ”a dangerous radical.”