SAN ANTONIO, Texas — President Donald Trump is traveling to San Antonio to campaign in a closely watched Texas U.S. Senate race, where Republican Ken Paxton is facing Democrat James Talarico.
The visit is aimed at rallying support as outside spending pours into the contest. The Texas Tribune reports nearly $175 million in outside money has gone toward keeping the Senate seat in Republican hands.
Trump campaigned in Denton last week, where he praised Paxton while also acknowledging their dynamic.
“He can be a pain in the ass sometimes. I’ll be honest. Is he here, by the way? Oh, there he is. I didn’t even know he was here. I don’t care,” Trump said.
Trump also called Paxton “the greatest attorney general in the United States of America,” and added, “We got to get this guy elected.”
ALSO | Democrat Jon Rosenthal outraises Bo French in Texas Railroad Commission race report
Trump is expected to appear alongside Paxton and Republican congressional candidate Carlos de la Cruz. The Texas Tribune also described the stop as part of the broader fight for control of Congress, with competitive U.S. House races in the San Antonio area.
Recent polling has shown Talarico leading Paxton. A New York Times-Siena University poll puts Talarico at 51% and Paxton at 45%, a 6-point lead. The Barbara Jordan Policy Research and Survey Center poll shows Talarico ahead 47% to 46%. A Beacon Research and Shaw and Company poll has Talarico at 51% and Paxton at 49%, a 2-point lead.
On the campaign trail, Paxton has outlined what he called a straightforward agenda.
“So my agenda is very simple. I’m gonna fight so that every Texan can buy a home, raise a family, and live a healthy life without struggling to make ends meet. And that’s why I’ve been billed by protecting the Texas Promise plan. This is an economic vision to put thousands of dollars back into the pockets of hardworking Texans,” Paxton said.
Talarico has highlighted his record of working across party lines.
“I’ve brought Democrats and Republicans together to pass 60 bipartisan bills. Bills that lower the cost of housing, that lower the cost of childcare, that lower the cost of prescription drugs, including insulin,” Talarico said last month. He also said he expects his bipartisan efforts are what he believes many Texans are looking for.
The rally is scheduled for Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio. Doors open at 2:30 p.m., programming starts at 4:30 p.m., and Trump is expected to speak around 6 p.m.