Ken Paxton, the Republican Senate nominee in Texas, told donors and lobbyists he believes the war in Iran and high gas prices have hurt his campaign.
His comments, in which he said he doesn’t “know what’s behind some of the decisions,” were made in a private gathering held in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24 and reported by Axios on Wednesday. It’s the third leak that’s emerged from the fundraiser, drawing scrutiny to the candidate in a race that is increasingly seen as promising for Democrats.
“So many factors in this federal race are uncontrollable,” Paxton can be heard saying in the latest clip, adding that affordability is “by far our biggest problem.”
“It’s the war, it’s gas prices, it’s diesel,” Paxton said. “When it’s over $6 per gallon for diesel … people are feeling the pinch.”
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The latest report was published ahead of a campaign rally on Wednesday in San Antonio, where Paxton is expected to appear alongside President Donald Trump.
In a statement to The Washington Sun, Madison Cercy, a campaign spokesperson for Paxton, said that the audio is a “non-story.”
“The Attorney General said what every Texan already knows: gas and diesel prices are too high, and hardworking Texans are struggling at the pump and at the grocery store,” Cercy said. “President Trump is doing everything he can to bring prices down, and Ken Paxton is going to Washington to help him by putting money back in families’ pockets.”
In other clips from the September meeting, obtained by The New York Times and Politico, Paxton told donors that his polling numbers were hurt by the GOP midterm convention hosted in Dallas last month and said his campaign’s direction was driven by establishment figures.
“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 in the audio obtained by Politico earlier this week. “I don’t control the message or what we’re doing.”
James Talarico, the Democratic nominee in the Texas Senate race, briefly responded to Paxton’s remark on social media.
“Ken Paxton is a puppet,” Talarico said.
On Tuesday, Trump told reporters he hadn’t heard Paxton’s comments.
“Ken and everyone is doing much better now that I’ve started the rallies,” Trump said. “It’s brought a whole new awareness to how great the economy is doing.”
The topic of affordability has created a rift between Trump and some Republicans ahead of the November midterms. The president has repeatedly referred to concerns over inflation and prices as a “hoax,” but voters across the country have signaled that economic issues are top of mind.
When speaking with donors, Paxton suggested that one of his campaign proposals, which includes write-offs for housing, health care and family-related expenses, is one way he would address the issue.
“I’m just trying to figure out ways I can help people,” he said. “That’s the only way: I can propose legislation.”
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