Ken Paxton Attributes Campaign Challenges to Iran War and Gas Prices

<p>Texas Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton discussed the impact of the Iran war and rising gas prices on his campaign during a private meeting with donors and lobbyists last month. He stated, "I don't make the decisions," according to audio obtained by Axios.</p><p><strong>Context:</strong> This admission highlights the difficulties Republicans are facing in the current election cycle.</p><hr /><ul><li>Paxton, who serves as the Texas attorney general, spoke at a closed-door fundraiser in Washington, D.C. The audio was provided to Axios by an anonymous attendee who opposes Paxton.</li><li>President Trump is scheduled to rally with Paxton in San Antonio on Wednesday.</li></ul><p><strong>Details: </strong>When asked about issues affecting his campaign, Paxton mentioned, "It's not tariffs. ... It's the war, it's gas prices, it's diesel," according to the audio. He noted that high diesel prices, exceeding $6 per gallon, are impacting people's finances, stating that the rising cost of fuel contributes to increased food prices and other expenses.</p><ul><li>Paxton identified affordability as the primary issue affecting his campaign, saying, "by far our biggest problem" is why he is struggling with voter support.</li></ul><p><strong>Proposed Solutions:</strong> Paxton referenced his tax cut plan, which includes new housing and health care write-offs and an expansion of the child tax credit, as a way to address affordability issues. He stated, "I'm just trying to figure out ways I can help people. That's the only way: I can propose legislation."</p><ul><li>When an attendee remarked that Paxton "can't stop the war," he agreed and acknowledged his lack of control over gas prices.</li><li>He added, "So many factors in this federal race are uncontrollable. I don't make the decisions, and I don't ... know what's behind some of the decisions."</li></ul><p><strong>Campaign Response:</strong> A spokesperson for Paxton described the situation as a "non-story," asserting that the Attorney General's comments reflect what many Texans already understand about high gas and diesel prices. The spokesperson added that President Trump is working to reduce prices and that Paxton aims to support this effort by helping families financially.</p><ul><li>Paxton also mentioned that Trump's midterm convention in Dallas negatively affected his campaign numbers, indicating that control of the campaign is largely influenced by decisions made in Washington, D.C.</li></ul><p><strong>Current Race Status:</strong> Paxton is competing against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico after winning the primary runoff against Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in May. Polls indicate Talarico is narrowly leading, and if elected, he would be the first Democrat to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate since the 1980s.</p><ul><li>Paxton has been a consistent ally of Trump, who endorsed him during the primary despite calls from Senate Republicans to support Cornyn.</li></ul><p><strong>Listen to the audio:</strong></p><p><em>Photo: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images</em></p>