Leaked audio captures the Republican nominee complaining that Washington groups are driving his campaign message against Democrat James Talarico.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton privately complained to attendees at a Washington lunch late last month that national party figures have seized control of his campaign for the U.S. Senate.
Paxton, the Republican nominee facing Democratic state Rep. James Talarico, voiced his irritation during a Sept. 24 gathering hosted by a lobbying firm in the capital, according to an audio recording obtained by Politico. A person at the lunch who does not support Paxton provided the tape.
‘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 — you know — from D.C.,’ Paxton said on the recording. ‘I don’t control message or what we’re doing… I don’t have ability to change anything. So I have to live with whatever I’ve got. So it is a challenge.’
Outside cash and convention fallout
Paxton campaign adviser Nick Maddux downplayed the remarks, saying federal law prevents campaigns from coordinating with super PACs and outside spenders. Maddux said Paxton is thankful for the outside backing and pointed out that his campaign launched its own statewide television ad buy last weekend.
A separate recording from the same lunch, obtained by The New York Times, captured Paxton discussing polling fallout from the party’s gathering in Dallas. ‘Dropped our numbers. Everybody’s numbers dropped. Right now, yeah, not good,’ Paxton said. Maddux labeled that report ‘manipulated nonsense.’
A source in Paxton’s political orbit told Fox News Digital that Paxton genuinely dislikes national figures. The source noted that the same groups that worked against Paxton earlier this year are now pouring money into his race to defend the seat.
A tight general election contest
Paxton won the Republican nomination by defeating longtime Sen. John Cornyn in a May runoff following a March primary. Cornyn, backed by Senate Majority Leader John Thune and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, had argued during the primary that nominating Paxton would force Republicans to spend millions to protect the seat.
Now, ad-tracking firm AdImpact projects total spending in the contest could reach $850 million. The race is one of about a dozen that will decide control of the Senate majority.
Recent polling points to a close contest. A Fox News poll conducted Sept. 24-28 showed Talarico leading Paxton 51% to 49%, and Fox News Power Rankings classify the Texas race as a toss-up alongside contests in Ohio, Michigan, Maine, Iowa, and Alaska.
