Ken Paxton: James Talarico is running to ‘destroy’ the American dream

U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton recently spoke about the significance of his campaign against Democratic contender James Talarico. He highlighted the main issues that his campaign focuses on, as well as his policy priorities for Texas, emphasizing the commitments he intends to uphold if elected. This discussion took place at the inaugural Republican midterm convention.

In a related development, Texas state Senator Angela Paxton has tackled what she refers to as the “elephant in the room.” She stated that she plans to vote Republican this November, notably avoiding mentioning her estranged husband, Ken Paxton, who is running for the Senate.

Angela Paxton, who filed for divorce from Ken last year citing “biblical grounds,” expressed in a recent political advertisement that she will support the Republican ticket on November 3. She reasoned that maintaining Republican control in the Senate is more important than any concerns about individual candidates.

“People have asked my thoughts on this election, and, well, I do have some,” she shared in the ad. “Let’s address the elephant in the room.”

She elaborated that in a general election, the focus should be less on individual candidates and more on securing a collective victory. “It’s about getting the entire team across the finish line,” she noted. “Either we keep every Republican seat, or we risk handing the future of Texas to the other side.”

Angela concluded, “That’s why I’m voting for the Republican ticket on Nov. 3. Let’s hold the line together.” While she did not specifically name Ken Paxton in her ad, her message coincides with the close race he faces against James Talarico.

According to the latest Fox News Poll, released on Thursday, Talarico is currently leading with 51% support among likely Texas voters, while Paxton trails closely at 49%. The margin of error in the poll is notable, reflecting a nearly even race. The same poll revealed that a slight majority, 50%, of likely voters favor Republican control of the U.S. Senate, with 49% preferring the Democrats.

Angela Paxton has indicated before that Republican control of the Senate seat is more crucial than her personal feelings regarding the candidate. During a speech at the Texas Federation of Republican Women in September, she referred to the situation as the “elephant in the room,” stating, “It’s not about the people; it’s about the seat.” She emphasized that control over the seat is vital, suggesting even familial connections matter less than having the seat held by a Republican.

“Losing it to the other party means the specific issues we want to tackle become irrelevant compared to the effort required to regain it,” she added.

Angela Paxton filed for divorce from Ken in July 2025 after nearly four decades of marriage, alleging adultery and citing irreconcilable differences. She publicly shared that she had pursued ending the marriage “on biblical grounds,” expressing that she believes in the sanctity of marriage but felt continuing was not in alignment with her values or those of her family.

The political advertisement supporting her was funded by a PAC tied to Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Meanwhile, Ken Paxton enjoys backing from prominent figures like President Donald Trump and financial support from Trump’s political action committee, as well as Elon Musk’s America PAC.