Kennedy: Don’t Know Paxton, Race Is Close
Sen. John Kennedy declines to comment on Ken Paxton’s character, calling race a popularity contest.
2 min read
Republican Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy refused to confirm whether Ken Paxton, the Republican Senate nominee in Texas, has the ‘character to serve’ as a U.S. senator when asked by NBC News’ Kristen Welker during an appearance on ‘Meet the Press.’ Kennedy emphasized that the decision lies with the people of Texas, stating, ‘I don’t know Ken Paxton. I don’t know Mr. Talarico.’
Paxton Faces Corruption Allegations
Paxton, who is currently facing corruption allegations that led to his 2023 impeachment and acquittal, as well as an acknowledged extramarital affair, has been a focal point of the heated Senate race against Democratic State Rep. James Talarico. Kennedy, while acknowledging the race’s closeness, admitted that he believes Paxton will ultimately win due to Texas’ strong Republican lean.
Contested Race and Polls
A late September New York Times/Siena poll showed Talarico leading Paxton 51 percent to 46 percent, despite Texas having voted for President Donald Trump by 13 percentage points in 2024. The non-partisan Cook Political Report labeled the race as a toss-up. Paxton unseated longtime Republican Sen. John Cornyn in a May primary runoff, while Talarico defeated firebrand Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett in a contentious primary.
Personal and Political Scrutiny
Paxton’s estranged wife, Angela, a Republican Texas State Senator, filed for divorce in July citing ‘biblical grounds,’ though she continued to support the ‘Republican ticket’ in campaign ads. Meanwhile, Talarico has faced scrutiny for his past left-wing views, including a 2021 statement calling ‘God non-binary’ during a speech opposing a GOP bill protecting girls’ sports. He later expressed support for ‘trans children’ in a 2023 podcast, but has since distanced himself from these remarks during his Senate campaign.
Political Rhetoric and Campaign Focus
Paxton has criticized Talarico’s past stances as ‘weird,’ emphasizing his own religious beliefs and contrasting them with Talarico’s. This ongoing political battle reflects the broader tensions within the state and national political landscape as both candidates vie for the Senate seat.
Source: Daily Caller
