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Three is a trend, and the leaks about Texas Senate nominee Ken Paxton’s campaign have more than hit that threshold.
On Thursday the Texas Tribune published audio of Paxton saying the US needs to “suck it up” and cut federal programs, more drips from the same fundraiser that elicited Paxton’s complaints about gas prices, lack of control over his own campaign, and the Republican midterm convention depressing his numbers.
“Paxton has always relied on his base and a strong statewide ticket to carry him across the finish line. He’s never played anywhere near this level and doesn’t understand the magnitude of effort being expended on his behalf to try to win this race,” Steven Law, former leader of the Senate Leadership Fund super PAC, told Semafor.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said of Paxton: “Got to be more careful when you run with the big dogs.”
Republicans don’t see any of Paxton’s remarks as politically fatal to Paxton’s campaign, but the leaks are not helpful — they only contribute to perceptions of GOP disarray in a tight Senate race.
National Republican Senatorial Campaign spokesperson Joanna Rodriguez told Semafor that Republicans need to “put your jersey on and fight with us or go sit in the stands enjoying tofu with the Talafreakos.”
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Polls this week have continued to show Democratic nominee James Talarico with a slight lead or tied with Paxton, a harrowing result for the GOP in the home state of the modern Republican Party. President Donald Trump rallied with Paxton on Wednesday night, then offered Paxton up for a debate with Talarico — prompting the Democrat to quickly agree and say: “I agree. Ball’s in your court, Ken.”
Republicans saw all this coming from a mile away, of course, spending huge sums to help Cornyn defeat Paxton in the primary, reasoning that the general election would be a relative layup for Cornyn. But that didn’t happen, Trump endorsed Paxton, and now Republicans say they need to act like the entire majority is on the line in Texas — because it very well might be.
“There are only two teams fighting for Texas’ future: the one with vegans and radicals who want to ban meat, reopen our borders, and transition your kids or the Republican team with a proven record fighting everything the other stands for,” Rodriguez said.