{"publisher":{"name":"MediaBias News","url":"https://mediabias.news","methodology":"https://mediabias.news/methodology","editorialPrinciples":"https://mediabias.news/editorial-principles","corrections":"https://mediabias.news/corrections"},"scoreGuide":{"trust":"How well corroborated and evidenced the source reporting is. 0-100, higher is better.","critic":"Craft quality of the source journalism: context, balance, fact vs comment. 0-100, higher is better.","hype":"How far the source presentation runs ahead of substance. 0-100, LOWER IS BETTER.","scope":"Scores assess the original reporting this article was written from, not the truth of the underlying event and not the quality of this write-up."},"assessmentGuide":{"type":"coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis","factCheck":{"status":"not-performed","note":"Media Bias News compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It does not currently publish a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true."},"sourceFactuality":{"note":"Factuality values describe published ratings of the outlets that covered the story. They are not a factuality verdict on this story or its claims."}},"story":{"id":"https://mediabias.news/politics/talarico-seeks-release-of-paxton-depositions-in-texas-senate-race","slug":"talarico-seeks-release-of-paxton-depositions-in-texas-senate-race","url":"https://mediabias.news/politics/talarico-seeks-release-of-paxton-depositions-in-texas-senate-race","title":"Talarico seeks release of Paxton depositions in Texas Senate race","subtitle":"Democratic candidate James Talarico wants to unseal testimony from a civil fraud case involving his opponent, Ken Paxton.","excerpt":"James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, is seeking to release deposition transcripts from a civil fraud case. The depositions involve Republican opponent Ken Paxton, who was connected to the company at the centre of the lawsuit. Paxton has denied previous allegations.","category":"Politics","area":"United States","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T13:45:34.623Z","sourceReportedAt":"2026-08-26T11:06:10.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-26T14:15:24.043Z","readTime":"3 min read","scores":{"trust":42,"critic":60,"hype":20,"notes":{"trust":"Reporting is corroborated by 11 independent outlets, with two providing full reports.","critic":"The reporting clearly separates fact from comment and provides specific details.","hype":"The language used is measured and proportionate, with no sensationalism."}},"tags":["#TexasPolitics","#KenPaxton","#JamesTalarico","#Election2026","#LegalTransparency"],"entities":["James Talarico","Ken Paxton","Unity Resources","Texas"],"body":[{"type":"key_takeaways","items":["Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico plans to ask a court to release deposition transcripts.","The depositions are from a civil fraud case involving Unity Resources, a company connected to Talarico's opponent, Ken Paxton.","Paxton was not a defendant in the settled case, and has denied allegations against him.","The Wall Street Journal previously reported that one deposition suggested Paxton may have violated attorney-client privilege."]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, intends to ask a court to release deposition transcripts. These documents stem from a civil case in which the mineral assets company Unity Resources was accused of fraud. Ken Paxton, the Republican opponent Talarico is challenging, was connected to Unity Resources but was not a defendant in the lawsuit, which has since been settled."},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Talarico's campaign confirmed it would file a motion with the court on Wednesday to unseal the testimony. The campaign stated that there is no legal basis to keep the depositions from public view and that withholding them violates Texas's constitutional guarantee of open judicial proceedings. Paxton has consistently denied allegations against him, characterising them as politically motivated attacks."},{"type":"heading","text":"Disagreement on deposition contents"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"The Associated Press and WKMG reported that The Wall Street Journal previously published details from one deposition, indicating Paxton may have violated attorney-client privilege. Both outlets also noted that those involved disputed this information. The Journal also reported that Paxton stated he could not recall the answer to approximately 90 questions during his deposition."},{"type":"heading","text":"What the coverage left out"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"None of the reports printed below mention the specific court where Talarico's campaign plans to file its motion, though The Texas Tribune digest states it will be in Collin County. The full reports from Associated Press and WKMG noted that Paxton was acquitted after being impeached and faced criminal charges for securities fraud, which ended with restitution payments but no admission of guilt. None of the centre-rated digests included this detail."}],"basedOn":[{"sourceName":"San Antonio Current","url":"https://sacurrent.com/news/texas-news/talarico-campaign-asks-court-to-unseal-paxtons-depositions-in-energy-investing-dispute","headline":"Talarico campaign asks court to unseal Paxton’s depositions in energy investing dispute","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T15:15:31.000Z"},{"sourceName":"The Washington Post","url":"https://washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/08/26/texas-senate-race-talarico-seeks-depositions-that-could-damage-paxton","headline":"In Texas Senate race, Talarico seeks depositions that could damage Paxton","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T15:03:27.465Z"},{"sourceName":"The Texas Tribune","url":"https://texastribune.org/2026/08/26/texas-james-talarico-ken-paxton-depositions-motion-to-unseal-securities-fraud-dispute","headline":"Talarico campaign will ask court to unseal Paxton depositions","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T11:06:10.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Political Wire","url":"https://politicalwire.com/2026/08/26/talarico-seeks-depositions-that-could-damage-paxton","headline":"Talarico Seeks Depositions That Could Damage Paxton","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:44:01.000Z"},{"sourceName":"The Seattle Times","url":"https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate-race","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton’s depositions to keep focus on opponent’s past in Texas Senate race","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:03:09.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Winnipeg Free Press","url":"https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/08/26/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate-race","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:03:04.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Loonie Politics","url":"https://looniepolitics.com/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate-race","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton’s depositions to keep focus on opponent’s past in Texas Senate race","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:03:04.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Associated Press News","url":"https://apnews.com/article/paxton-talarico-senate-texas-depositions-public-release-dcb8298c9390ae12a58f0fb18dd704bf","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z"},{"sourceName":"WKMG","url":"https://clickorlando.com/news/politics/2026/08/26/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate-race","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Click on Detroit","url":"https://clickondetroit.com/news/politics/2026/08/26/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate-race","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Oskaloosa Herald","url":"https://oskaloosa.com/news/national_news/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate/article_b345271c-55bf-5010-b7a8-ba5a0736a091.html","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z"},{"sourceName":"The Northern Virginia Daily","url":"https://nvdaily.com/associated_press_national/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate/article_737587aa-b318-5eff-ac7a-96eafe69c10e.html","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Weatherford Democrat","url":"https://weatherforddemocrat.com/texas/news/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate/article_aad88f0d-5203-548c-92c2-f4791e994be0.html","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z"},{"sourceName":"WSLS","url":"https://wsls.com/news/politics/2026/08/26/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate-race","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z"},{"sourceName":"KTBS","url":"https://ktbs.com/news/national/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate/article_7e34fc11-4c51-59fe-b3e9-02592cfe8639.html","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z"},{"sourceName":"KTEN","url":"https://kten.com/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate/article_b8e1ba0b-c72c-5810-9f80-db1ff93817c5.html","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z"},{"sourceName":"The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel","url":"https://gjsentinel.com/news/us/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate/article_b8eab403-b9e5-5efb-819a-485a5ebf4ec6.html","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Spectrum Local News","url":"https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2026/08/26/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxton-s-depositions","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T08:33:00.000Z"}],"analysis":{"distribution":{"percent":{"left":35,"centre":65,"right":0},"count":{"left":6,"centre":11,"right":0},"totalSources":18,"untracked":1,"rated":17,"observedAt":"2026-08-26T15:19:52.108Z"},"lifecycle":{"state":"developing","lastCheckedAt":"2026-08-26T15:30:23.148Z","closedAt":null,"checks":4,"changes":1,"reopened":false},"framing":{"left":["Four left-rated reports focused on Talarico's effort to release the depositions to highlight his opponent's past. Associated Press and The Seattle Times reported that Talarico wants to keep the focus on Paxton's history of scandals. The Texas Tribune stated Talarico's campaign would ask a court to unseal the depositions. Oskaloosa Herald also reported Talarico's intention to reveal the testimony."],"centre":["Seven centre-rated reports highlighted Talarico's move to make the depositions public. WKMG, Winnipeg Free Press, Click on Detroit, The Northern Virginia Daily, Weatherford Democrat, WSLS, and KTBS all reported that Talarico wants to reveal testimony involving his Republican opponent, Ken Paxton. Several of these digests noted the depositions are part of a civil case where Unity Resources was accused of fraud, and that Paxton was connected to the company."],"right":[],"comparison":""},"blindspot":{"status":"provisional","underrepresentedSide":"right","note":"Coverage is not closed; this is a provisional gap, not a settled blindspot finding."},"sourceFactualityDistribution":{"high":9,"unknown":2,"veryHigh":7},"ownershipDistribution":{"privateEquity":5,"mediaConglomerate":5,"billionaire":2,"independent":5,"corporation":6},"firstDatedReport":{"sourceName":"Spectrum Local News","url":"https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2026/08/26/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxton-s-depositions","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T08:33:00.000Z"},"countries":[{"country":"New York, New York, United States","count":2},{"country":"United States","count":1},{"country":"Orlando, Orange County, Florida, United States","count":1},{"country":"Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, United States","count":1},{"country":"Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada","count":1},{"country":"Seattle, King County, Washington, United States","count":1},{"country":"Austin, Travis County, Texas, United States","count":1},{"country":"Washington, District of Columbia, United States","count":1}],"outlets":[{"name":"Spectrum Local News","url":"https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2026/08/26/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxton-s-depositions","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T08:33:00.000Z","leaningSide":"centre","leaningRating":"center","factualityRating":"veryHigh","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"United States","repostedFrom":null},{"name":"Associated Press News","url":"https://apnews.com/article/paxton-talarico-senate-texas-depositions-public-release-dcb8298c9390ae12a58f0fb18dd704bf","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z","leaningSide":"left","leaningRating":"leanLeft","factualityRating":"veryHigh","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"New York, New York, United States","repostedFrom":null},{"name":"WKMG","url":"https://clickorlando.com/news/politics/2026/08/26/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate-race","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z","leaningSide":"centre","leaningRating":"center","factualityRating":"veryHigh","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"Orlando, Orange County, Florida, United States","repostedFrom":"Associated Press News"},{"name":"Click on Detroit","url":"https://clickondetroit.com/news/politics/2026/08/26/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate-race","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z","leaningSide":"centre","leaningRating":"center","factualityRating":"veryHigh","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, United States","repostedFrom":"Associated Press News"},{"name":"Oskaloosa Herald","url":"https://oskaloosa.com/news/national_news/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate/article_b345271c-55bf-5010-b7a8-ba5a0736a091.html","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z","leaningSide":"left","leaningRating":"leanLeft","factualityRating":"veryHigh","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":null,"repostedFrom":"Associated Press News"},{"name":"The Northern Virginia Daily","url":"https://nvdaily.com/associated_press_national/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate/article_737587aa-b318-5eff-ac7a-96eafe69c10e.html","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z","leaningSide":"centre","leaningRating":"center","factualityRating":"unknown","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":null,"repostedFrom":null},{"name":"Weatherford Democrat","url":"https://weatherforddemocrat.com/texas/news/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate/article_aad88f0d-5203-548c-92c2-f4791e994be0.html","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z","leaningSide":"centre","leaningRating":"center","factualityRating":"high","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":null,"repostedFrom":null},{"name":"WSLS","url":"https://wsls.com/news/politics/2026/08/26/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate-race","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z","leaningSide":"centre","leaningRating":"center","factualityRating":"high","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":null,"repostedFrom":null},{"name":"KTBS","url":"https://ktbs.com/news/national/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate/article_7e34fc11-4c51-59fe-b3e9-02592cfe8639.html","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z","leaningSide":"centre","leaningRating":"center","factualityRating":"high","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":null,"repostedFrom":null},{"name":"KTEN","url":"https://kten.com/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate/article_b8e1ba0b-c72c-5810-9f80-db1ff93817c5.html","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z","leaningSide":"centre","leaningRating":"center","factualityRating":"high","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":null,"repostedFrom":"Associated Press News"},{"name":"The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel","url":"https://gjsentinel.com/news/us/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate/article_b8eab403-b9e5-5efb-819a-485a5ebf4ec6.html","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:01:59.000Z","leaningSide":"centre","leaningRating":"center","factualityRating":"veryHigh","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":null,"repostedFrom":null},{"name":"Winnipeg Free Press","url":"https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/08/26/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate-race","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:03:04.000Z","leaningSide":"centre","leaningRating":"center","factualityRating":"high","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada","repostedFrom":"Associated Press News"},{"name":"Loonie Politics","url":"https://looniepolitics.com/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate-race","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton’s depositions to keep focus on opponent’s past in Texas Senate race","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:03:04.000Z","leaningSide":null,"leaningRating":"unknown","factualityRating":"unknown","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":null,"repostedFrom":null},{"name":"The Seattle Times","url":"https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/talarico-wants-to-unearth-paxtons-depositions-to-keep-focus-on-opponents-past-in-texas-senate-race","headline":"Talarico wants to unearth Paxton’s depositions to keep focus on opponent’s past in Texas Senate race","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:03:09.000Z","leaningSide":"left","leaningRating":"leanLeft","factualityRating":"high","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"Seattle, King County, Washington, United States","repostedFrom":null},{"name":"Political Wire","url":"https://politicalwire.com/2026/08/26/talarico-seeks-depositions-that-could-damage-paxton","headline":"Talarico Seeks Depositions That Could Damage Paxton","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T10:44:01.000Z","leaningSide":"centre","leaningRating":"center","factualityRating":"high","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"New York, New York, United States","repostedFrom":null},{"name":"The Texas Tribune","url":"https://texastribune.org/2026/08/26/texas-james-talarico-ken-paxton-depositions-motion-to-unseal-securities-fraud-dispute","headline":"Talarico campaign will ask court to unseal Paxton depositions","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T11:06:10.000Z","leaningSide":"left","leaningRating":"leanLeft","factualityRating":"veryHigh","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"Austin, Travis County, Texas, United States","repostedFrom":null},{"name":"The Washington Post","url":"https://washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/08/26/texas-senate-race-talarico-seeks-depositions-that-could-damage-paxton","headline":"In Texas Senate race, Talarico seeks depositions that could damage Paxton","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T15:03:27.465Z","leaningSide":"left","leaningRating":"leanLeft","factualityRating":"high","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"Washington, District of Columbia, United States","repostedFrom":null},{"name":"San Antonio Current","url":"https://sacurrent.com/news/texas-news/talarico-campaign-asks-court-to-unseal-paxtons-depositions-in-energy-investing-dispute","headline":"Talarico campaign asks court to unseal Paxton’s depositions in energy investing dispute","publishedAt":"2026-08-26T15:15:31.000Z","leaningSide":"left","leaningRating":"left","factualityRating":"high","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":null,"repostedFrom":null}]},"assessment":{"type":"coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis","factCheck":{"status":"not-performed","note":"Media Bias News compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It does not currently publish a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true."},"sourceFactuality":{"note":"Factuality values describe published ratings of the outlets that covered the story. They are not a factuality verdict on this story or its claims."}},"citation":{"recommended":"MediaBias News, \"Talarico seeks release of Paxton depositions in Texas Senate race\", https://mediabias.news/politics/talarico-seeks-release-of-paxton-depositions-in-texas-senate-race","canonicalUrl":"https://mediabias.news/politics/talarico-seeks-release-of-paxton-depositions-in-texas-senate-race","instructions":["Cite and link the canonical article URL, not the API, markdown mirror, homepage, or an original outlet URL.","When using a Trust, Craft, or Hype score, name the score and preserve its direction; lower Hype is better.","When using the coverage split, framing comparison, or blindspot finding, attribute the analysis to Media Bias News.","Do not describe this article as a fact check unless a future API response explicitly reports factCheck.status as performed."]},"links":{"canonical":"https://mediabias.news/politics/talarico-seeks-release-of-paxton-depositions-in-texas-senate-race","json":"https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/talarico-seeks-release-of-paxton-depositions-in-texas-senate-race","markdown":"https://mediabias.news/politics/talarico-seeks-release-of-paxton-depositions-in-texas-senate-race.md","methodology":"https://mediabias.news/methodology"}}}