Texas Senate nominee Ken Paxton recently indicated he feels little control over his own campaign, according to two separate audio recordings from a private Washington lunch. The remarks, made during a September 24 gathering hosted by a well-known lobbying firm, surfaced within a week of the event. Politico obtained the first set of audio, while The New York Times secured the second. The comments have drawn attention as the general election approaches, with national stakes tied to the outcome of the Texas Senate race.
"I’ve never been in a race where I felt less control over the campaign." Ken Paxton, Texas Senate Nominee
During the lunch, attended by about a dozen donors, Paxton, who serves as the state’s attorney general, spoke candidly about his campaign’s operational dynamics. "I’ve never been in a race where I felt less control over the campaign," Paxton stated, as captured in the Politico recording. He further elaborated that direction for the campaign flows from the capital, adding, "I don’t control message or what we’re doing." Politico also reported that Paxton voiced similar complaints to lobbyists a month prior, where he noted that messaging in federal races often originates with other entities, and candidates must simply accept it. "I don’t have ability to change anything," he reportedly said at that earlier meeting.
An individual present at the September 24 lunch told Politico that Paxton did not explicitly name President Donald Trump’s team in his remarks, but that everyone understood whom he meant. However, Nick Maddux, an adviser to Paxton, offered a different interpretation. Maddux contended that the attorney general was "obviously" referring to super PACs, which are independent expenditure-only political committees that campaigns are legally barred from coordinating with directly.
The recording obtained by The New York Times captured another specific remark from Paxton. In this audio, Paxton commented that President Trump’s midterm convention in Texas "dropped our numbers." This particular statement was swiftly rejected by Maddux, who dismissed The Times' report as "manipulated nonsense." The lunch event also included a lighter moment, with chuckles from the table after a defense contractor executive inquired about how the campaign’s message resonated with "real people" back home.
The Texas Senate race is considered critical for Republicans, who need to secure the seat to maintain their majority in the Senate. Paxton emerged from a challenging primary against incumbent Senator John Cornyn, a contest during which he actively sought President Trump's endorsement. Throughout his primary campaign, Paxton characterized Cornyn as a Washington insider and a Republican In Name Only (RINO). When questioned about the capital's political establishment, Paxton told voters, according to the Associated Press, "I’m not their person and I’m never going to be their person."
Despite the recorded comments, Paxton’s campaign has not faced resource limitations. He holds a significant cash advantage over his Democratic opponent, James Talarico. Last month, his campaign announced a substantial $20 million ad buy. Additionally, Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s Republican fund has channeled millions of dollars to Paxton since early September, underscoring the national party's investment in the race.
The latest New York Times/Siena poll indicates Democrat James Talarico currently leading Paxton by six points, with fewer than 30 days remaining until Election Day. Meanwhile, President Trump is actively campaigning in solidly Republican states across the country. The Daily Mail reported that the President's efforts aim to prevent Democrats from gaining control of both the House and the Senate, against a backdrop of what the outlet described as record-low approval ratings for the President and a cost-of-living crisis linked to the war in Iran. The Texas election is scheduled to occur in less than a month.
