Paxton Claims Midterm Convention Hurt His Senate Bid

2 min read

Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton privately expressed concerns that the Republican National Convention (RNC) negatively impacted his Senate campaign, according to a report by The New York Times. The report cited audio from a private fundraiser in Washington, D.C., where Paxton allegedly said that the convention caused a drop in his poll numbers.

“So to be honest with you, the numbers — when we did that convention — it dropped our numbers. Everybody’s numbers dropped. Right now, yeah, not good,” Paxton reportedly said in the audio, which was shared with the Times by an attendee.

Advisers Dispute Claims

Nick Maddux, a senior adviser to Paxton, refuted the audio, calling it “more manipulated nonsense from The New York Times to create a story that doesn’t exist.” He emphasized that recent polls show Paxton leading by three points and that his numbers have improved since early September.

“Ken Paxton is going to win this race, and he looks forward to closing strong alongside President Trump including when he comes to Texas this week,” Maddux said.

Political Landscape

The Texas Senate race is considered a toss-up, with Democrat James Talarico currently leading by a narrow margin in some polls. However, recent surveys suggest Paxton is gaining ground, with some showing him leading by three points.

Republicans are expected to spend over $150 million to support Paxton, with major PACs planning to invest heavily in television ads and other campaign efforts. This marks an unprecedented level of spending in traditionally red states like Ohio and Kansas.

Trump’s Comments and Other Candidates

President Donald Trump criticized Paxton’s appearance and demeanor during his speech at the convention, stating, “Some may not like the way he dresses, I don’t. He may not talk exactly perfectly, and he may not be the best-looking guy I’ve ever seen.” However, other high-profile Republican figures such as Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Senator Ted Cruz, and Vice President J.D. Vance did not mention Paxton in their convention speeches.

Vance, however, targeted Talarico for his comments on gender identity, calling them “non-binary” and “six genders,” which he deemed inappropriate.

Polling Data and Implications

Recent polling data indicates a shift in favor of Democrats, with RealClearPolitics showing Democrats at 50.6% and Republicans at 42.3%. Independent voters also showed a strong preference for Democrats, with a 25-point margin in favor.

Despite these trends, Paxton’s campaign remains optimistic, with his team asserting that the RNC’s impact has been overstated and that his lead in recent polls is a strong indicator of his potential success.

Source: Daily Caller