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Ted Brown to Run for U.S. Senate in Texas

Libertarian candidate Ted Brown is set to appear on the ballot for the Texas U.S. Senate election on November 3, 2026.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Political Parties

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Libertarian candidate Ted Brown announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate in Texas, joining Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Libertarian candidate Ted Brown is running for the U.S. Senate in Texas, joining the race against Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico. Texans will head to the polls to vote for their next senator on November 3, 2026.

Why it matters

As the Libertarian nominee, Brown provides voters with an alternative platform that includes removing federal and state regulations on marijuana and hemp products. He also advocates for ending military and economic aid to Middle Eastern countries and opposes the use of eminent domain for data centers.

The upcoming race features three primary candidates competing for the seat in the November 3, 2026 election. The exact voter turnout projections and final candidate spending totals remain unconfirmed.

The players

Ted Brown

He is a candidate for the U.S. Senate and serves as the Candidate Coordinator for the Libertarian Party of Texas.

Ken Paxton

He is a Republican candidate currently competing in the Texas U.S. Senate election.

James Talarico

He is a Democratic candidate currently competing in the Texas U.S. Senate election.

The details

Brown currently serves as the Candidate Coordinator for the Libertarian Party of Texas and acts as Vice Chair for the party's branch in Travis County. A retired independent insurance adjuster, he earned a political science degree from UCLA in 1984.

Timeline

  1. 1960: Ted Brown was born in Steubenville, Ohio.

  2. 1979: Ted Brown joined the Libertarian Party.

  3. 1984: Ted Brown graduated from UCLA.

  4. October 19, 2026 to October 30, 2026: In-person early voting for midterm elections.

  5. November 3, 2026: Texans vote in midterm elections.

Political Context

Opponents often argue that third-party candidates like Brown may draw crucial votes away from the two major political parties, potentially impacting the final results. Major party figures frequently emphasize the importance of consolidation to ensure their party platform gains the necessary support to win statewide.

The presence of a third-party candidate on the ballot changes the voting options for all Texas residents participating in the election. Voters should review the specific positions of each candidate to understand how their vote could influence state and federal policy decisions.

The takeaway

Voters should research the full policy stances of all candidates before heading to the polls this November. Evaluating third-party platforms can provide a broader understanding of the diverse political options available in the Texas election.

What happens next

Early voting for the midterm election is scheduled to begin on October 19, 2026, and continue through October 30, 2026, ahead of the general election on November 3, 2026.

Further reading

For more information on candidate platforms and party movements, visit the Political Parties section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by KTALnews.

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