HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the reeling Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, is blaming his so-far poor performance on factors beyond his control.
Paxton has trailed his Democratic opponent in most polls over the past few months as he struggles to attract donors wary of his legal baggage and attachment to the GOP’s unpopular governance. He was charged with fraud in a since-dropped case and impeached by state Republicans, all the while defending the Trump administration’s legally dubious dealings.
He told a group of donors and lobbyists at a recent closed-door event that the Iran war, and its subsequent effect on fuel prices, is more to blame for his campaign issues.
“It’s the war, it’s the gas prices, it’s diesel,” he said in an audio clip published by Axios Wednesday. “When it’s over $6 a gallon for diesel … people are feeling the pinch. So I’d say that’s probably the biggest problem.”
The average price for a gallon of diesel in Texas is $5.72, according to AAA data, but rates in many other states are well above $6. Many Texans are upset over fuel costs, but Paxton’s legal problems also present a challenging obstacle on his road to the Senate.
Eighty-five percent of voters told The New York Times and Siena University last month they have heard of the attorney general’s controversies, and 45 percent of that group said they’ll consider those issues at the polls.
Paxton’s spent valuable time defending himself against attacks by state Representative James Talarico, who’s leaned heavily on an anti-corruption platform.
“You shouldn’t believe anything a politician says, whether it’s me or Ken Paxton. You should look at what we’ve done,” Talarico said in a Fox News interview last month. “And if you look at Ken Paxton’s history, he has spent his entire career enriching himself on the public’s dime. I’ll put my record up against Ken Paxton’s every day of the week.”
The National News Desk requested comment from the attorney general but hasn’t received a response.
He’s focused on Talarico’s positions on cultural issues, which helped Republicans take control of the Senate, House and White House two years ago. The Democrat, Paxton says, is too far left for Texas’s reliably red electorate.
“Texas is NOT California. James Talarico is the most radical Senate candidate our state has ever seen,” Paxton said in a September call for donations. “Help us stop him before National Democrats turn Texas blue.”
Do you have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.