Watch live: Trump makes final pitch to Texas voters
Corpus Christi is a long way from the usual swing-state battleground, but Trump's visit shows how much Republicans think Paxton needs a nudge. The attorney general has name recognition and the power of incumbency, yet Talarico has been running a sharp campaign that frames the race around local issues and abortion access. A rally like this can fire up the base, but it also reminds moderate voters why they might want a change.
I think the timing matters as much as the location. With early voting already underway, the rally aims to make sure the people who already support Paxton actually show up. Democrats will need to match that energy in a state where Trump still carries a lot of weight.
What I'd want to know next is how the rally plays in the suburbs around Corpus Christi, where Republican margins have been slipping. A big crowd is one thing, but the real test is whether it moves the numbers in a week.
