Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican who has avoided debates for over a decade, has agreed to a televised showdown with Democratic challenger James Talarico.

This marks a significant shift for Paxton, whose last public debate appearance was in 2014 during his first run for attorney general. Talarico, a state representative from Austin, has been vocal in his calls for a debate, aiming to draw a contrast with Paxton.

The debate is scheduled to take place on October 25th and will be broadcast by Telemundo and KXAN-TV in Austin. It is expected to be a pivotal event in the closely watched race, offering voters a direct comparison between the two candidates.

Paxton's agreement to debate comes amidst increasing pressure from Talarico and Texas Democrats, who argue that voters deserve to hear directly from the candidates on key issues. This debate could significantly shape public perception and influence the outcome of the election.