An article summarized by Axios:
Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Texas, privately acknowledged that rising gas and diesel prices and the Iran war are hurting his campaign, according to audio obtained by Axios. At a closed-door fundraiser, Paxton said affordability was “by far our biggest problem,” noting that diesel prices above $6 a gallon are raising transportation and food costs for Texans.
Paxton also acknowledged the limits of his influence, saying he doesn't control the war or gas prices and that many factors affecting the race are outside his control. He pointed to his proposed tax-cut plan, including expanded housing and health-care deductions and a larger child tax credit, as ways he could address affordability if elected. His comments come as Republicans face a difficult political environment heading into the midterms.
Paxton is running against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico, and recent polling has generally shown Talarico with a narrow lead. A Talarico victory would make him the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Texas in decades. Paxton, a longtime Trump ally who received Trump's endorsement over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, also reportedly said Trump's midterm convention hurt his campaign numbers, highlighting the challenge Republicans face as voters focus heavily on inflation and the cost of living.
