AUSTIN, Texas — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico and Republican candidate Ken Paxton agreed Saturday that the federal gas tax should be suspended, although Paxton called for permanently eliminating the tax while Talarico proposed a temporary suspension.
The candidates made their positions public separately as they campaign for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas.
Talarico discussed the issue during a campaign event in Carrollton, where he also criticized the war in Iran and urged Paxton to oppose the conflict and support suspending the federal gas and diesel taxes.
Paxton later issued a statement supporting Talarico’s call to suspend the taxes but went further, saying he wants to eliminate them permanently.
“Of course I support suspending the gas tax,” Paxton said. “In fact, I believe we should suspend it permanently.”
Paxton said eliminating the taxes would return more money to drivers when they purchase fuel. He also said the federal government should finance roads through spending cuts rather than taxes at the pump.
Federal gas tax
The federal gasoline tax stands at 18.4 cents per gallon, while the federal diesel tax stands at 24.4 cents per gallon.
The federal government deposits the revenue into the Highway Trust Fund, which finances federal highway construction and related transportation projects.
The average price of gasoline in Texas reached $3.94 per gallon Saturday, according to the figures cited in the report, while diesel averaged $5.90 per gallon.
The cited figures put gasoline prices 69% higher than September 2025 and diesel prices 53% higher over the same period.
Senate campaign
Talarico and Paxton exchanged their positions through public statements Saturday rather than in a face-to-face debate.
Talarico challenged Paxton to participate in a Senate debate last week during an appearance at the Texas Tribune Festival.
Talarico said he would welcome a debate moderated by Fox News anchor Bret Baier.
The candidates have not announced whether they will hold a joint debate before the November election.
