The friction stems from leaked audio obtained by The New York Times, in which Paxton told donors and lobbyists that a GOP midterm convention in Dallas caused polling numbers for all Republican candidates to drop. While Texas Senator John Cornyn responded to the leak with a one-word "Whoops," Vice President JD Vance said he is not concerned about the remarks and pledged support for the "tough and difficult race." Prediction markets on Kalshi now give Paxton a 34% chance of winning, while Sean Spicer suggested the GOP may need $150 million to $200 million to hold the seat against James Talarico.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Trump Rallies for Ken Paxton in Texas Despite 34% Win Odds
US Politics19 days ago
Donald Trump campaigned for Ken Paxton on a trip to Texas, describing the Republican Senate candidate as a "pain in the ass" during a public rally. Trump insisted that visiting the state is necessary because Republicans must win the election to ensure the country continues to exist. The appearance follows a series of internal party tensions and a drop in Paxton's polling numbers in his bid for the Texas Senate.
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