Paxton Says Washington Shapes His Senate Campaign Message

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a recording from a private fundraiser that he had little control over messaging and key decisions in his U.S. Senate campaign, describing them as coming from Washington. The audio, recorded September 24 and made public Monday, October 5, adds to scrutiny of the Republican nominee as he faces Democratic state Representative James Talarico in a closely watched Texas race. “I’ve never been in a race where I felt less control over the campaign and, like, what issues are going to matter because it’s all coming, you know, from D.C.,” Paxton said, according to the recording. He also said he did not control the message and that, in a federal race, messaging often comes from other people. Paxton adviser Nick Maddux said Paxton was referring to independent groups supporting the campaign, including super PACs. Maddux said campaigns cannot coordinate with those groups. The recording’s full context and the specific organizations or decisions Paxton meant have not been established in the available accounts. Outside groups have played a prominent financial role in the contest, according to figures reported in one account.