Washington Campaign Control
Leaked Audio Captures Ken Paxton Saying Campaign Messaging Comes From Washington
Anonymous
Key Points
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Paxton was impeached by the Texas House in 2023 over allegations including bribery and abuse of public trust, but the state Senate acquitted him. His wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, later filed for divorce, citing “biblical grounds” and alleging adultery.
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Republicans are expected to spend more than $300 million in Texas before Election Day, with the article describing the spending as an effort to keep Paxton competitive against Talarico.
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Days before the audio became public, Angela Paxton appeared in an ad urging Texans to vote for all Republican candidates but did not mention her husband by name. The ad was produced by Texas PAC, a pro-Paxton committee.
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The Guardian reported that an attendee told Politico Paxton’s remarks came during a discussion of the national political environment; the attendee said Paxton did not explicitly identify Trump’s team as the force controlling his campaign.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said his Senate campaign has less control than any race he has run, with messaging and key issues coming from Washington, according to leaked audio from a September fundraiser. Paxton did not explicitly name President Donald Trump or his team, but the comments reveal frustration over how the race is being managed from afar as he faces Democrat James Talarico in a tight contest.
Paxton's adviser disputed the interpretation, saying he was referring to the separation between campaigns and super PACs under campaign finance law, not outside control. Meanwhile, polls show Talarico leading Paxton by two to six points, even as Republicans and allied groups spend heavily to keep the race competitive.
The Leaked Comments Spark Controversy
During the September fundraiser, Paxton expressed frustration that his campaign operates differently than his previous races. Turnto10 reported that Paxton said he has "less control" over strategy and messaging. The comments suggest outside forces—widely assumed to be national Republican leadership—are shaping the campaign's direction rather than Paxton's team.
His campaign quickly moved to manage the narrative. An adviser told reporters Paxton was discussing how separate super PACs operate independently under federal law, not claiming that Washington operatives were dictating his campaign. The distinction matters legally, though it did little to quell questions about who is actually running the race.
Trump's Convention May Have Hurt Paxton's Numbers
A separate recording captured Paxton saying that Trump's Texas convention had damaged his poll numbers, according to reporting on the audio. The comment suggests tension between the former president's events and Paxton's ability to build independent political momentum in his home state.
Paxton's team pushed back again, pointing to his voter outreach and statewide campaigning efforts. They argued Paxton appreciates Trump's support and that overall Republican spending—expected to exceed $300 million before Election Day—demonstrates strong backing for the candidate despite public grumbling.
A Vulnerable Candidate Fighting Back
Paxton faces an uphill climb after his 2023 impeachment by the Texas House on charges including bribery and abuse of public trust. Though the state Senate acquitted him, his wife—state Senator Angela Paxton—filed for divorce, citing "biblical grounds" and alleging adultery, further damaging his standing.
Days before the audio leaked, Angela Paxton appeared in an ad urging Texans to vote for all Republican candidates, though she did not mention her husband by name. The ad was produced by Texas PAC, a pro-Paxton committee, signaling family involvement in damage control. Current polls show Talarico leading by two to six points, making the massive Republican spending effort critical to closing the gap.
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