At the Republican Party's inaugural midterm convention in Dallas, President Donald Trump made a forceful appeal for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, urging the gathered faithful to ensure his victory in the upcoming U.S. Senate race. "I'll be coming back to Texas because we have to elect Ken Paxton. We have to," Trump told the crowd on Wednesday.
Before the president took the stage, Paxton addressed the attendees, laying out his policy priorities and casting himself as a champion for Texas families. His remarks focused heavily on affordability and tax relief, themes that have become central to his campaign as he seeks to succeed retiring Senator John Cornyn.
Paxton's speech came on the heels of his late-July unveiling of the "Protecting the Texas Promise" plan, a package designed to ease financial pressures on residents. The proposal includes targeted help for first-time homebuyers, deductions for healthy-living expenses, healthcare cost relief, and a doubling of the federal child tax credit. At the convention, Paxton expanded on these ideas, promising to fight for Texas taxpayers if elected.
The event underscored the GOP's reliance on Trump as economic concerns loom large ahead of the midterms. Trump's endorsement adds significant weight to Paxton's campaign, though the attorney general faces a crowded primary field and legal challenges of his own.
Paxton's opponents, including Democratic challenger James Talarico, have seized on his legal troubles and controversial stances. Talarico, a state representative, has sought to frame the race as a choice between accountability and extremism. His campaign has gained traction among voters frustrated with Paxton's ethics scandals, which include an ongoing securities fraud indictment and a separate bribery investigation.
Meanwhile, national Democrats see the Texas Senate seat as a potential pickup, though the state's Republican lean makes it an uphill battle. Recent polling, including a Quinnipiac survey showing Democrats with an 11-point lead in generic House preference, suggests shifting political winds that could complicate Republican efforts.
Trump's appearance in Dallas is part of a broader strategy to defy historical midterm losses by rallying his base. However, his involvement has also exposed divisions within the party, as some GOP candidates prefer to keep their distance from the former president. Paxton, by contrast, has embraced Trump's support wholeheartedly, aligning himself with the MAGA wing of the party.
The convention also highlighted the split among GOP candidates on embracing Trump, with Paxton firmly in the pro-Trump camp. His rivals, including incumbent Senator John Cornyn, have taken a more measured approach, focusing on their own records rather than aligning too closely with the former president.
As the campaign heats up, Paxton's tax plan and Trump's endorsement are likely to be central themes. But his legal baggage remains a liability, and Talarico is betting that voters will prioritize integrity over policy promises. The race is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched in the country, with control of the Senate hanging in the balance.
