Trump Rallies in Lubbock Tuesday for Paxton; Talarico Holds Texas Tech Event the Same Night

President Donald Trump is coming to Lubbock on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to rally support for Republican U.S. Senate nominee Ken Paxton. The same evening, Democratic nominee James Talarico holds his own event a few miles away on the Texas Tech campus — putting both sides of one of the country's most closely watched Senate races in Lubbock on the same day.

WHEN AND WHERE: THE TRUMP RALLY

The rally is at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, 1501 Mac Davis Lane. All times are Central.

• Doors open: 2:30 p.m.
• Program begins: 4:30 p.m.
• President Trump speaks: 6 p.m.

The schedule changed once already. Early reports listed a 2:30 p.m. start for the president's remarks; the Republican National Committee has since moved his remarks to 6 p.m. Check for updates before you go.

HOW TO GET IN

An RSVP is required. Registration is through the official GOP events page, with up to four tickets per signup, and local reporting says registration isn't complete until attendees verify by phone. Expect security screening, long lines and heavy traffic around the Civic Center and downtown through the evening.

THE TALARICO EVENT

James Talarico's "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts Tour" stops at the Frazier Alumni Pavilion on the Texas Tech campus the same day. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the program begins at 7 p.m.

PROTEST PLANNED

A flyer from the Lubbock County Democratic Party circulating on social media promotes a protest outside the Civic Center beginning at 11 a.m., according to local reporting.

WHY LUBBOCK, AND WHY NOW

Lubbock and the South Plains voted overwhelmingly for Trump in 2024. The visit is part of a final push in a Senate race that a CBS News poll describes as essentially tied; Paxton's campaign points to an internal poll showing him ahead by three points. Reports count this as at least the president's fourth Texas trip of the election season.

The race lands in a region facing questions that will outlast election day — from record electricity demand and the state's pause on new data center approvals to the AI campuses being built across West Texas. XNewsAi covers those stories here; see the related coverage below.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

• Plan to arrive early; doors open hours before the president speaks.
• Bring only what you need. Rally venues typically restrict bags and items; check the event page for current rules.
• Allow extra time for traffic and parking downtown and near Texas Tech in the evening.

This story will be updated if the schedule changes.