Nikki McCann Ramirez
View all posts by Nikki McCann Ramirez October 5, 2026 Add us as a Google Preferred Source
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention on Sept. 9, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is struggling to match the momentum of James Talarico, his Democratic opponent in the most-watched Senate race of this election cycle. It doesn’t help that recordings of his private musings with advisers keep getting leaked to the press.
On Monday, Politico released audio of Paxton complaining that his campaign was essentially being run by Republicans in Washington, D.C.
“I don’t control message or what we’re doing,” Paxton says. “I’ve never been in a race where I felt less control over the campaign and, like, what issues are going to matter because it’s all coming from D.C.”
“I don’t have the ability to change anything, so I have to live with whatever I’ve got,” he adds.
NEW in @playbookdc: Ken Paxton in leaked audio vents over his campaign being run by DC: “I don’t control message or what we’re doing” “I’ve never been in a race where I felt less control over the campaign…it’s all coming — you know — from DC” pic.twitter.com/mnpUWMm6Y2
— Will Steakin (@wsteaks) October 5, 2026
It’s kind of obvious why control has been wrested from Paxton. Republicans have been dumping an obscene amount of money into Texas in their attempt to keep Paxton competitive. The GOP is expected to pour over $300 million into the Lone Star State by Election Day, largely to make up for Paxton’s glaring deficiencies as a candidate. These include an extensive history of public corruption (including a Republican-led impeachment effort against him), personal scandal, his close association with a deeply unpopular President Donald Trump, and about as much candidate charisma as a piece of roadkill.
Talarico has maintained a consistent lead over Paxton, if the polls are to be believed. A recent New York Times/Siena poll had the Democrat up by six points. A Fox News poll had him up by two. The race will certainly be close, far too close for the GOP’s comfort.
Days before the leak, Paxton’s estranged wife — Texas State Senator Angela Paxton — appeared in an ad encouraging Texans to vote for every Republican candidate … without ever mentioning her husband by name. Angela Paxton filed for divorce in July on “biblical grounds,” alleging repeated instances of public infidelity by the attorney general. The ad was produced by Texas PAC, a pro-Paxton committee expected to spend over $100 million boosting his campaign.
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#TexasSenate AdImpact: Ken Paxton's estranged wife Angela Paxton appears in ad sponsored by Texas PAC “I'm Texas Senator Angela Paxton. People have asked my thoughts about this election and turns out, I have some … I'm voting for the Republican ticket on November 3rd.” pic.twitter.com/La2orIWxPR
— Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) October 3, 2026
Days before Mrs. Paxton delivered her halfhearted plea on behalf of Republicans, Ken Paxton was caught on another leaked recording complaining that Trump’s insistence on hosting an emergency midterm convention in Dallas had actually hurt his numbers.
