Full Breakdown
Karl Rove Says GOP Is Being Taken Over by Far-Right Elements
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Warning and Election Outlook
Former senior adviser to President George W. Bush Karl Rove told reporters that the Republican Party in Texas is “being infiltrated” by candidates and podcasters he characterizes as bigots and Nazis. He said the trend threatens Republican chances in the 2026 midterms, citing the Senate race between incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic challenger James Talarico, as well as the Texas Railroad Commissioner contest between Bo French and Democrat Jon Rosenthal. Rove pledged to vote for Rosenthal, breaking a three-decade pattern of Republican operatives supporting only GOP candidates.
Background on Rove and Texas Races
Rove served as deputy chief of staff in the Bush administration and has managed campaigns for Sen. John Cornyn, Sen. John Ashcroft, Sen. John Cornyn, and former Texas Gov. Bill Clements. His comments come amid polling that shows Democratic candidates James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa gaining ground. Texas voters can update registration through early October, with early voting slated for mid-October to the end of the month and Election Day in early November.
Official Statements & Responses
Rove asserted that Republicans are admitting they’re behind in the current political environment, noting recent outreach from Sen. Ted Cruz and Paxton himself asking for his help. He described Paxton’s “multiple girlfriends” and $200,000 in home improvements funded by a “corrupt business guy” as liabilities that would make the race unwinnable for Republicans. Rove also warned that welcoming figures such as Bo French—whom he called a “bigot”—and far-right podcaster Nick Fuentes will damage the party’s long-term viability.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My party is being infiltrated by people like Bo French,” — Karl Rove
- “Nick Fuentes goes to Dallas and meets with a bunch of Republican leaders. This guy is a Nazi,” — Karl Rove
- “In the last 48 hours, Ted Cruz has reached out to me and says, ‘We’re losing,’ Ken Paxton has sent me several emails saying, ‘I’m losing, I need your help,’” — Karl Rove
- “If [U.S. Sen.] John Cornyn were the nominee, this race would be over. But when you’ve got a guy that has multiple girlfriends and $200,000 worth of improvements in his house from a corrupt business guy whom he does favors,” — Karl Rove
- “We didn’t labor in the wilderness to build a conservative party that was inclusive and welcoming … to see it taken over by a bunch of bigots,” — Karl Rove
What’s Next
The Texas Railroad Commissioner race and the U.S. Senate contest will be decided on Election Day in early November 2026, following a period of early voting from mid-October to the end of the month. Rove’s public endorsement of a Democratic candidate and his criticism of party leadership suggest continued intra-party debate as the election approaches.