Leaked audio captures Paxton calling Abbott’s race a struggle

Leaked audio attributed to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton captures him describing Gov. Greg Abbott as struggling in his reelection race and saying Republicans would probably lose some seats in the state Legislature. The remarks were made at a Washington fundraiser on September 24, according to accounts of the recording. Paxton, a Republican U.S. Senate candidate, is heard discussing the close contest between Abbott and Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa. He contrasts Abbott’s campaign conditions with his own, saying Abbott did not face a primary and that Paxton had been hurt by negative advertising. In the excerpt, he also refers to Abbott’s money and name recognition as advantages. The recording’s available excerpts do not provide the full conversation. In particular, they do not establish the context of Paxton’s comment about possible Republican losses or whether it was made during the same part of the discussion as his remarks about Abbott. The comments are attributed to Paxton, but the excerpt alone does not show that he was making a definite forecast about legislative results.