Trump Urges Texas Voters to Back Paxton in Senate Race

President Donald Trump campaigned for Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton at a rally in San Antonio on Wednesday, urging Texans to vote for Paxton as the November 3 midterm elections approach. Trump’s appearance at Freeman Coliseum was his third visit to Texas in less than a month, according to reports, and put his support behind a closely watched contest that could affect Republican efforts to retain control of the Senate. Trump praised Paxton and predicted he would be one of the country’s best senators. He also urged attendees to vote as though Trump himself were on the ballot, tying the Texas race to his own political standing and the Republican agenda. Paxton, who appeared onstage, thanked Trump for coming to Texas. The Republican nominee is facing Democratic state representative James Talarico. Trump attacked Talarico during the rally, warning that Texas would be “almost instantaneously destroyed” if he won. That was Trump’s characterization of the stakes; the sources do not provide evidence establishing the claim. Trump also urged support for other Republican candidates, including congressional candidate Carlos De La Cruz and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.