Ken Paxton rallied supporters in Corpus Christi Wednesday ahead of his U.S. Senate race against Democrat James Talarico, touting tax cuts and defending his record.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Texas Attorney General and Republican U.S. Senate nominee Ken Paxton rallied supporters Wednesday night in downtown Corpus Christi as he campaigns for the Senate seat and faces Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in November.
Speaking at Brewster Street Ice House, Paxton told supporters the election could have consequences beyond Texas.
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“This is not just another seat on the board, if we lose Texas, we lose America,” Paxton said.
Paxton also highlighted his economic agenda, which centers on new tax deductions for healthcare, housing and family expenses.
He has proposed a $25,000 federal tax deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses and a $50,000 housing deduction, which he described as a way to make homeownership more accessible.
His proposals also include tax deductions for expenses such as gym memberships, youth sports and physician-prescribed GLP-1 medications, as well as doubling the child tax credit.
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Paxton said voters should judge him based on his record as attorney general.
“So I’m not asking you to imagine what I’d do as senator, I’m asking you to look at what I’ve already done. Over and over I’ve gotten results for the people of Texas. I’m running on my record,” Paxton said.
Democrats attack Paxton’s record
Local Democrats used the rally to criticize Paxton’s record, including his 2023 impeachment by the Texas House.
Nueces County Democratic Party Chair Conor Rice pointed to the role of state Rep. Todd Hunter, a Corpus Christi-area Republican who voted to advance Paxton’s impeachment to the Texas Senate in 2023.
“So his own staffers reported him to the FBI for corruption. And Todd Hunter, who was a juror at the time, said that there is enough evidence to impeach this man for corruption, and he should be removed as Attorney General,” Rice said.
Paxton was ultimately acquitted by the Texas Senate on all 16 articles of impeachment.
Hunter attended Wednesday night’s rally and endorsed Paxton’s Senate campaign.
Hunter said his 2023 vote was part of the impeachment process and compared the Texas House’s role to that of a grand jury.
“I mean it’s a process. You have a procedure. The Senate is supposed to resolve. They resolve it. … They presented all of the evidence in the Senate … everybody can spin it the way they want but he was found innocent,” Hunter said.
Hunter said he believes the issue is settled and that voters should focus on the Senate’s ultimate decision.
Marylee Winterstein, chair of the Aransas County Republican Party, also defended Paxton.
“Things in the past happened for who knows what reason, political, uh, clout, or political pressure. But anyway, I think all of that is settled,” Winterstein said.
Paxton will face Talarico in the November general election.
Democrats are hoping to win a statewide Texas race for the first time since 1994, while Republicans are seeking to maintain their hold on statewide office.