GOP Leaders Pressure Trump to Fund Ken Paxton Senate Race

Republican leaders and strategists are pressuring Donald Trump to provide urgent financial support for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the GOP nominee for the U.S. Senate. Paxton, who won a costly primary with Trump's backing, is currently trailing Democratic State Representative James Talarico in recent polls, with Talarico leading 47 percent to 40 percent.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune and strategist Karl Rove have warned that Paxton is running out of time and requires significant funding for advertising to frame Talarico as a far-left winger. Rove cautioned that without this support, Talarico could win by focusing on Paxton's history of corruption and previous impeachment proceedings. While Trump has praised Paxton's record and pledged to spend time in Texas, he has not yet committed specific financial resources.

Internal party friction has intensified as Senator John Cornyn, whom Paxton defeated in the primary, has refused to campaign for him, describing Paxton as a lazy candidate who is not offering a compelling case for his election. Paxton has defended his work ethic and is currently conducting his Protecting the Texas Promise tour, including stops in Allen and Willow Park, where he characterized Talarico as a socialist Democrat. Talarico has countered by campaigning in San Antonio and Arlington, focusing on the cost of living and the needs of citizens struggling to afford basics.