Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate, admitted in a private fundraiser that the GOP's recent midterm convention in Dallas damaged his campaign's standing. According to audio obtained by The New York Times, Paxton told donors, "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."
The remarks, made at a Washington, D.C. event attended by conservative donors and lobbyists, surfaced as Paxton's race against Democrat James Talarico tightens. Decision Desk HQ's latest polling averages show Talarico leading by two points, and the contest is now widely considered a toss-up.
Paxton's campaign dismissed the audio as misleading. Senior adviser Nick Maddux told The Times, "This is more manipulated nonsense from The New York Times to create a story that doesn't exist." The Hill has reached out to Paxton's campaign for further comment.
The Dallas convention, the Republican National Committee's first-ever midterm gathering, was intended to energize the base ahead of November. President Trump headlined the event and used his speech to offer a backhanded endorsement of Paxton, saying, "I don't like the way Ken dresses, talks, or looks," but adding that Paxton is "the greatest" attorney general in the country. Trump also joked, "I don't know if he's gonna ever speak to me again, but you know, I don't care as long as he wins."
Paxton, who defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in a bitter primary runoff, has faced a series of scandals during his tenure as Texas's top prosecutor. At the convention, he asked attendees for "your prayers" and "your votes," underscoring the high stakes of his bid.
The timing of Paxton's comments raises questions about the effectiveness of Trump's involvement in competitive races. As political analysts note, the GOP's midterm strategy has faced scrutiny, and Paxton's admission could fuel concerns about the party's ability to hold onto traditional strongholds.
Texas Democrats, long frustrated by their inability to win statewide, see an opening. Party spokesperson Ryan Martin said in a statement, "This is embarrassing for the President. Texans know that Paxton is a cheater, who only serves his own corrupt self interests, and now Trump gets to experience it firsthand."
Paxton's struggles are not isolated. His campaign's internal worries reflect broader challenges for Republicans in a state where demographic shifts and suburban discontent have made races more competitive. Meanwhile, the governing test for insurgent Democrats could be a factor if Talarico pulls off an upset.
As the general election approaches, Paxton's ability to recover from this self-inflicted wound will be critical. His admission that the convention "dropped our numbers" suggests that the rally's intended boost may have backfired, leaving his campaign scrambling to regain momentum.
