Full Breakdown
Texas Senate Race Turns Into Intra-Party Blame Fight
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Republican President Donald Trump used his Truth Social account to accuse Sen. Ken Paxton of endangering the Texas Senate race. The allegation came weeks before Election Day on Nov. 3 as Paxton’s poll numbers slipped against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico.
Background & Context
Paxton secured the Republican nomination by defeating incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in a May primary runoff, leaving “primary wounds” among Texas GOP factions. His tenure as attorney general included a 2023 impeachment by the Texas House on bribery and obstruction charges, though he was later acquitted by the state Senate. The contentious primary and impeachment history have made the general-election contest unusually competitive in a state that traditionally votes Republican.
Data & Statistics
- Polling: Decision Desk HQ rates the race a toss-up, with Talarico ahead by about 2 percentage points in its averages.
- Fundraising (summer-to-early-September): Talarico raised $64 million; Paxton raised $18 million.
- Super-PAC contributions: MAGA Inc. (Trump-aligned) contributed $10 million; Elon Musk’s filings show $158 million to a Republican-leaning super PAC.
- Advertising: Total ad spending has topped $500 million, with Republicans accounting for more than half.
Official Statements & Responses
- Donald Trump (Truth Social) called Cornyn and Karl Rove “weak and ineffective political hacks” and warned that a Paxton loss would be their fault.
- Karl Rove declined comment.
- Sen. Cornyn’s office did not return requests for comment.
- Alex Latcham, executive director of the Senate Leadership Fund, told a Bloomberg event that Texas Republicans need to move past the “bitter feelings” from the primary and unite behind Paxton.
- Ken Paxton told donors the September midterm convention in Dallas “dropped our numbers,” expressing frustration over reduced campaign control, according to leaked audio obtained by the New York Times and Politico.
Criticism & Opposition
- Matt Mackowick, senior adviser to Cornyn, responded to Trump’s accusation with a profanity-laden remark implying Cornyn could have “simply reelected himself” had he run.
- Aaron Kall, director of debate at the University of Michigan, said Paxton’s refusal to debate Talarico “is a sign of weakness” and suggests discomfort with public articulation of his positions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Trump ought to be encouraging turnout in Texas instead of laying blame on an outgoing senator,” — Chad Wilbanks, Texas-based lobbyist
- “The primary wounds still haven’t healed,” — Dan Eberhart
- “Losers always b—- about having their best. Winners go out and f— the prom queen,” — Matt Mackowick
- “I don’t think Ken Paxton’s ever debated, so it’s not really a shock that that has kind of continued.” — Aaron Kall
- “It’s tough. I know there are still bitter feelings on both sides,” — Alex Latcham
What’s Next
With less than three weeks before the Nov. 3 election, both campaigns are intensifying advertising and voter-turnout efforts. Trump continues to appear at Texas rallies, while Republican strategists urge the party to coalesce around Paxton to avoid a Democratic pickup that could affect Senate control. No further public statements from Cornyn or Rove have been reported.