President Donald Trump arrived in San Antonio on Wednesday for his third Texas campaign stop in less than a month, joining Attorney General Ken Paxton on stage to rally the GOP base ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. The event, held at a downtown venue, was billed as a crucial push to secure Paxton’s nomination for the U.S. Senate and to help the party retain control of the chamber.
Trump’s message to Texas voters
Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd, Trump praised Paxton as a “fantastic man” and a “loyal” ally, emphasizing the importance of Texas in the national fight for a Republican Senate majority. He urged attendees to “pretend” he’s on the ballot this fall, a familiar rallying call meant to boost turnout among his MAGA supporters. The president highlighted border security, high gas prices, and the need for strong leadership, framing his presence as a direct response to the concerns of hardworking Texans.
Paxton’s campaign and recent controversy
Paxton’s campaign has faced criticism after audio recordings obtained by Axios and The New York Times suggested the attorney general blamed the president and his midterm convention for a dip in poll numbers. Paxton’s spokesperson, Madison Cercy, dismissed the recordings, stating that “every Texan already knows gas and diesel prices are too high, and hardworking Texans are struggling at the pump and at the grocery store,” and added that Trump “is doing everything he can to bring prices down.”
Election dynamics in Texas
Republicans have poured millions into Paxton’s race, which has tightened more than expected against Democrat James Talarico. While the state voted for President Trump by more than 13 points in 2024, recent polls show his personal approval at 34% nationally and 27% among Latino voters, according to CNN’s Poll of Polls and an NBC News/Telemundo survey. Nonetheless, the Trump campaign believes his brand can still mobilize the base, especially in heavily Hispanic areas like San Antonio, where 64.6% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino.
Spending and strategy
The GOP’s Texas effort is projected to exceed $300 million, outspending Democrats by a margin of more than five‑to‑one. Since the May runoff, Republicans have spent $158 million on ads with an additional $38 million reserved, while Democrats have spent roughly $75 million with $6 million in reservations. A Texas GOP strategist warned that focusing on high‑visibility rallies could energize opponents, suggesting that visits to smaller towns such as Lubbock or Amarillo might better target swing voters.
Local reactions
While many supporters cheered the president’s appearance, a handful of protesters were removed from the rally after interrupting the speech. A Democratic operative described the repeated Trump visits as a “loss mitigation strategy,” implying the party is conceding the race to independent voters.
What’s at stake
Control of the Senate hinges on Texas, and the outcome of the Paxton‑Talarico contest could shape the GOP’s ability to pass its legislative agenda. The Trump administration continues to emphasize the constitutional principle of limited government and the protection of traditional family values, themes that resonate with the state’s conservative electorate.
As the campaign season intensifies, both parties are betting heavily on voter turnout. The Trump‑Paxton tandem hopes that the president’s presence will translate into a decisive vote for the Republican Senate candidate, keeping the chamber aligned with the administration’s priorities.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
