Texas Senate Candidate Ken Paxton Laments Loss of Campaign Control

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recently expressed frustration over the lack of control he has over his campaign for a U.S. Senate seat, revealing that much of the direction and messaging is coming from Washington rather than locally. During a private fundraising event in Washington on September 24, Paxton admitted to attendees that he feels less in charge of his campaign's strategy compared to previous races.

"I’ve never been in a race where I felt so little control over the campaign," Paxton said during the meeting, according to an audio recording obtained by POLITICO. "It’s all coming from D.C., and I don’t get to dictate the message or what we’re doing."

The event was hosted by Chris Brinson and Susan Hirschmann of Williams & Jensen, a lobbying firm based in Washington, DC. Among those present were Scott Kopple, vice president of government relations at defense contractor BWXT, who raised concerns about how national issues might resonate with voters back home.

Paxton acknowledged the challenge of reaching Texas's vast electorate, noting that he aims to engage with around 1,000 people daily for the remaining weeks before the election. However, he emphasized his frustration with the messaging aspect, stating, "But then it comes down to your messaging, which in a federal race often comes from other people."

Attendees of the event noted that while Paxton did not explicitly name Trump’s team as controlling his campaign, it was widely understood among those present who were aware of the broader political context. One attendee granted anonymity and stated that "everybody knew what he was talking about" when Paxton made these comments.

Paxton's remarks come after a contentious primary race where he positioned himself against Republican incumbent John Cornyn by framing him as a "Washington insider." During his campaign, Paxton accused Cornyn of being out of touch with Texas voters and receiving support from the D.C. establishment.

Despite these criticisms, recent polls show that Paxton is currently trailing Democratic challenger James Talarico by six points. However, Paxton maintains financial advantages heading into November, having announced a $20 million ad buy to bolster his campaign efforts. The Senate Leadership Fund, closely aligned with Republican leadership in the Senate, has also pledged significant support for Paxton.

Paxton's comments reflect broader concerns within the Republican Party about the influence of national figures and messaging on local races, particularly as midterm elections approach. His candid admission highlights the tension between candidates' promises to voters and their reliance on Washington-based campaign strategies and funding sources.