At a private fundraiser in Dallas last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned donors that the recent Trump‑led GOP midterm convention had a negative impact on his Senate campaign. In a recording obtained by The New York Times, a voice believed to be Paxton answered a question about whether the event was “a little bit of a drag” by saying, “the numbers — when we did that convention — it dropped our numbers. Everybody’s numbers dropped. Right now, yeah, not good.”
Trump’s endorsement remains firm
Despite Paxton’s candid assessment, President Donald Trump has continued to publicly support the Texas attorney general. Speaking at the same convention, Trump praised Paxton as “the greatest attorney general in America” while also offering a light‑hearted jab at his appearance, noting, “He may not dress right, he may not talk exactly perfectly, and he may not be the best‑looking guy I’ve ever seen. But you know what he is? He’s the greatest attorney general in America, and he deserves to be your next senator.”
Campaign response and poll snapshot
The Paxton campaign dismissed the audio as “manipulated nonsense,” though it declined to comment further when asked by ABC News whether the recording had been altered. ABC News also reached out to the White House for comment and received no response.
A recent ReconMR Texas poll shows the Senate race remains competitive. Among likely voters, 49% said they would support Democrat James Talarico if the election were held today, while 43% said they would back Paxton. The poll does not provide a trend line, but it underscores the tight nature of the contest as the runoff approaches.
Broader GOP concerns
Paxton’s remarks reflect a growing unease among some Republican candidates that President Trump’s current approval rating and the nation’s economic concerns could hurt their own prospects. Nonetheless, Trump is scheduled to visit Texas later this week for an economic remarks tour at a truck‑manufacturing plant, a stop that comes five weeks before Election Day and highlights the President’s continued engagement in key Texas races.
Other Texas GOP dynamics
Beyond the Senate race, several Republican office‑seekers in statewide and federal contests are joining calls within the party to end the war in Iran, including Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson and Ohio Sen. Jon Husted. These policy positions illustrate the evolving priorities of GOP candidates as they navigate a complex political landscape.
While Paxton’s candid admission about the convention’s impact may raise questions among donors, the President’s unwavering endorsement and upcoming Texas visit signal that the Trump administration remains committed to supporting its allies in the Lone Star State as the 2026 elections draw near.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
