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Leaked Recording Shows Paxton Blames Iran, Gas Prices

By Drooid · Oct 8, 2026, 2:38 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Ken Paxton Blames Poll

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton blamed the Iran war and gasoline prices for his polling disadvantage in a leaked recording.
U.S. President Donald Trump rallied with Paxton and House candidate Carlos De La Cruz in San Antonio on Wednesday.
A New York Times/Siena poll showed Democrat James Talarico leading Paxton by seven points.
GOP strategists warned intra-party blame games could depress turnout and hurt Republican House races.

Summary

Republicans Redraw Districts

Republicans redrew five congressional districts, three with higher Latino populations, to improve GOP prospects.
The plan supports the GOP’s strategy to win Senate control in the 2026 elections.
Senate currently holds a 53-47 Republican majority, so Democrats must net four seats to take control.
Analysts will assess whether recent Latino voter gains can translate into lasting Senate advantages for Republicans.

History

Historical Context

After Republicans gained a trifecta in 2002, Rep. Tom DeLay pushed a 2003 congressional redistricting that helped Republicans capture 21 of 32 Texas House seats in 2004—the first majority since Reconstruction. The map survived the 2006 Supreme Court’s League of United Latin American Citizens v. Perry ruling. Today, Attorney General Ken Paxton and President Donald Trump invoke the same strategy for the 2026 Senate race.

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Ken Paxton Blames Poll

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton blamed the Iran war and gasoline prices for his polling disadvantage in a leaked recording.
U.S. President Donald Trump rallied with Paxton and House candidate Carlos De La Cruz in San Antonio on Wednesday.
A New York Times/Siena poll showed Democrat James Talarico leading Paxton by seven points.
GOP strategists warned intra-party blame games could depress turnout and hurt Republican House races.

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