Ken Paxton Sees Growing Republican Enthusiasm Ahead of Election

Texas Attorney General and Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton expressed on Saturday to Breitbart News that he feels an increase in enthusiasm among Republican voters. His campaign is focused on boosting turnout, narrowing the fundraising gap with Democrat James Talarico, and spotlighting Talarico’s political stances.

In a conversation with Breitbart News Political Editor Bradley Jay, Paxton predicted that Talarico would face challenges in the upcoming months after navigating a three-month runoff election that he was not required to endure. He pointed out that Talarico has “three months of fundraising capacity that I didn’t have,” which is concerning.

“We started on June 1st with basically $0,” Paxton said, highlighting that Talarico recently raised around $30 million, largely from donors in California and New York. Paxton’s campaign, which began in June, has been engaged in fundraising efforts with limited initial resources.

Jay referenced Talarico’s competitive standing in Democratic polls, noting a Breitbart News analysis from August 4 which showed Talarico within a close margin. Paxton remained optimistic about the race as it approached mid-August, commenting on the seasonal return of voters from vacation and saying he had never felt more energized by the interactions he’s had at events recently.

“We see voters starting to get motivated, and that’s really the crucial part,” Paxton stated. He emphasized the importance of keeping Republicans informed about Talarico’s views while accusing Democrats of misleading voters. Paxton mentioned topics like women’s sports, gender transitions for minors, state income taxes, and equity policies in schools, branding Talarico as a “truly radical socialist.”

When asked what Texans could expect if Talarico were to win a Senate seat, Paxton suggested they “close your eyes” and visualize Talarico as their representative, then “open your eyes” to the reality he describes as a “nightmare.” He warned that electing someone with what he calls “woke leftist policies” could send a detrimental message to the country.

The interview also touched on Republican unity after a divisive primary. Paxton responded to inquiries about whether the Republican Party in Texas was rallying behind him, stating, “It’s a binary choice,” distinguishing between what he labels as “radical leftists and conservative Republicans.”

He noted his efforts in reaching out and clarifying his stance but recognized that not all Republicans may support him. However, he affirmed his commitment to backing the Republican candidate, stating, “Not everyone I vote for will win, but in the end, I’m going to vote Republican.”

Paxton expressed that he would have backed incumbent Senator John Cornyn if he had secured the nomination, recalling being asked if he would support him in that case. He firmly identified Talarico as “the most dangerous candidate ever in the state of Texas.”

When questioned about Democrats’ focus on Texas and their belief that it could turn blue, Paxton explained it’s due to the state’s electoral significance. He argued that if Texas were to lean Democratic, it would jeopardize the election of future Republican presidents and make it more difficult for the party to retain a congressional majority.

Furthermore, Paxton claimed that inadequate election laws have allowed Democrats to “cheat in California” and other traditionally Democratic states. He underscored the strategic value of Texas, noting that its prominence among the largest states is pivotal for the Democrats’ aspirations.

He referred to Beto O’Rourke’s close contest against Senator Ted Cruz as indicative of ongoing Democratic investment in Texas, highlighting that they narrowly missed success in that race. “We just need to make sure that doesn’t happen,” he asserted.

Jay, pointing out that Paxton had no external support during his primary run, inquired if national Republicans were likely to back his campaign now. Paxton expressed confidence they grasp the implications of losing the Texas seat, warning, “If we lose Texas, we don’t have a Senate.”

Following constructive talks with Senate leaders, Paxton expressed hope that resources would soon be available for his campaign. He assessed that national Republican leaders recognize the “high stakes” involved.

In discussing the fundraising disparities, Paxton noted that Talarico’s advantage stemmed from the three-month head start he had in raising money while Paxton was engaged in a Republican runoff. His opponents reportedly began spending around “$3 million a week” on television ads since mid-July, while Paxton’s campaign still aims to raise enough funds to promote its messages.

He encouraged supporters to contribute to bridge the funding gap, with plans to run ads that could expose Talarico’s political history. Paxton asserted that while Talarico’s own messaging tries to obscure facts, his campaign intends to reveal the “real” Talarico to voters.

The discussion shifted to the SAVE America Act, a legislative priority for President Donald Trump. Paxton had previously hinted that he would consider stepping back from the Senate race if progress were made on the bill, which Jay interpreted as an encouragement for establishment senators to act. Paxton concluded by emphasizing the need for lawmakers to dare to champion the right causes.

He stressed that elections require robust security measures and highlighted issues such as non-citizens voting in Democratic states and lacking photo ID requirements. He argued, “If we don’t fix it, we’re going to lose this country.” Paxton posited that while many lawmakers are aware of these issues, it requires political bravery to act on them.

Paxton revealed there are some Republican senators resistant to supporting the bill and expressed a desire to understand their perspectives. “I’d love to talk to them,” he mentioned, questioning why they seem indifferent about securing national elections.

Lastly, when discussing Trump’s endorsement and the broader political landscape, Paxton reiterated his support for Trump’s policies and the urgency for Republicans to act while they still can. “We won’t have these opportunities forever,” he remarked, advocating for responsiveness to constituents and reinforcing his belief that issues like the SAVE America Act resonate deeply with voters.

“There is no point in being unresponsive to the people who elected you,” he added.