By Republican strategist Karl Rove is warning that President Donald Trump must pour money into Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s U.S. Senate campaign—or risk losing a reliably Republican seat to Democrat James Talarico.
During a Wednesday appearance on Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade Show, Rove argued that Paxton’s weak fundraising and lackluster campaign schedule have allowed Talarico to gain ground in a race Republicans should control. His warning followed an appeal from Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), who urged Trump on Tuesday to “do more” through his MAGA Inc. super PAC.
Fox News host Martha MacCallum highlighted the financial disparity, noting that Talarico has “got $21 million versus Ken Paxton’s, I think, one or two million.”
Rove offered a scathing assessment of Paxton’s recent campaign activity, noted The Hill.
“He was in Washington the week before the Fourth of July, on that weekend. No fundraiser that I can find. And then on Tuesday, he was seen leaving for Iceland with his latest girlfriend, and then the two of them spent the Fourth of July celebrating in London, England… If he wanted to go to London, he should have gone to London, Texas.”
Rove credited Trump’s endorsement with delivering Paxton the Republican nomination, arguing that the attorney general would have lost the primary without the president’s support. Trump, he said, must now finish the job by directing his political operation into the race.
“He needs to come in!” Rove said.
“Time is running out!” he continued. “If the president wants to have Paxton win, he needs to be tossing a lot of money Paxton’s way.”
Without that intervention, Rove predicted Talarico will “run the message of ‘my opponent is the most corrupt politician in Texas history’ all the way to the victory line.”
Paxton’s campaign has struggled to move beyond controversies involving allegations of voter fraud, high-profile foreign travel with a woman critics describe as his “mistress,” and his office’s plea agreement involving convicted child sex predator Adam Hoffman.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), whom Paxton defeated in the Republican primary, has also refused to rally behind the nominee. Cornyn recently told The Texas Tribune that he would not help Paxton, calling him “lazy” and saying he “doesn’t raise money” or offer “a very compelling case for his election.”
Republicans have dominated Texas statewide elections for decades, but recent polling indicates that Paxton is locked in a closer-than-expected contest with Talarico, a Democratic state representative who has amassed a substantial financial advantage.
Rove’s warning reflects growing concern among Republicans that Paxton’s campaign is allowing a safe seat to become competitive, and he should know. The ball may soon be in Trump’s court to save the Senate Republicans.
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