Ken Paxton Says Trump's Midterm Convention Hurt GOP Numbers in Leaked Audio
Texas Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton privately said President Donald Trump's midterm convention hurt Republican poll numbers, according to leaked audio obtained by The New York Times. The recording surfaced just weeks before Paxton faces Democrat James Talarico in one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country.
Paxton's campaign has called the audio "manipulated nonsense."
What Paxton Said
The recording was made last week at a private fundraiser in Washington, D.C., according to Fox 4 News. An attendee who opposes Paxton's candidacy shared it with the Times.
When someone at the event asked whether Trump was "a little bit of a drag" on the race, Paxton answered candidly.
"So, to be honest with you, the numbers, when we did the convention, it dropped our numbers," Paxton said. "Everybody's numbers dropped. Right now, yeah, not good."
The Convention in Question
Republicans held their first-ever midterm convention September 9 and 10 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Trump used the event to rally the party ahead of November and urged supporters to vote as if he were on the ballot.
During his speech, Trump praised Paxton as "the greatest attorney general in the history of our country," while also poking fun at him.
"He may not dress right. He may not talk exactly perfectly," Trump told the crowd, adding that Paxton "may not be the best-looking guy."
Days later, Trump offered a very different take than the one Paxton gave donors. "The fact that we had such a successful convention really helped Ken Paxton," the president said, according to the Daily Beast.
Campaign Pushes Back
Paxton senior adviser Nick Maddux dismissed the reporting and said Paxton would campaign alongside Trump in Denton this week.
Maddux also pointed to an internal campaign poll from Pulse Decision Science showing Paxton ahead of Talarico, 48% to 45%. He said Paxton's numbers have improved since early September.
Independent polling tells a different story. A Marist poll conducted September 17 to 20 found Talarico leading Paxton 50% to 44% among registered voters, according to the Marist Poll. The same survey found 43% of Texas voters approve of Trump's job performance, while 55% disapprove.
Trump's standing has slipped nationally too, with his approval rating nearing a record low earlier this summer.
A Bruising Path to the Nomination
Paxton, the Texas attorney general, won the Republican nomination in a May runoff, defeating incumbent Sen. John Cornyn with nearly 64% of the vote. Trump backed Paxton in that race, an endorsement that frustrated GOP leaders who believed Cornyn would be the stronger general election candidate.
Paxton has served as Texas attorney general since 2015. He was impeached by the Texas House in 2023 on corruption-related charges and was later acquitted by the state Senate, and he has denied any wrongdoing.
After his loss, Cornyn said he would vote for Paxton and support the Republican ticket but would not actively campaign for him.
Talarico, a state representative, won the Democratic nomination in March over U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett. His campaign has drawn national attention, including a late-night interview with Jimmy Kimmel that was moved to YouTube after FCC pressure.
Why the Race Matters
Texas has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988. A Talarico win could help Democrats take control of the chamber.
Republican strategist Karl Rove has warned that time is running out for Paxton and said Trump needs to steer significant money toward the race, according to Mediaite.
Election Day is November 3.
Curious for more stories that keep you informed and entertained? From the latest headlines to everyday insights, YourLifeBuzz has more to explore. Dive into what’s next.