Earlier this month, President Donald Trump held a midterm convention in Dallas. It was a curious decision, both because midterm conventions aren’t typically a thing in American politics and because Trump is historically unpopular; tying Republican candidates for Congress to him was questionable.
Now, reports are that a GOP candidate in the state where the convention took place is unhappy with it.
According to the New York Times, which obtained audio, Ken Paxton, the Republican candidate for Senate in Texas, recently told donors that he believes the mini-convention hurt his chances and those of other GOP candidates running this year. Paxton had appeared at the convention.
NEWS —
Ken Paxton trashed President Trump’s convention in leaked audio obtained by NYT.
Paxton told donors and lobbyists last week that the convention hurt his polling numbers. Paxton was a huge part of the Dallas convention.
Exclusive in NYT.https://t.co/Rolq7UpAvo
— Teddy Schleifer (@teddyschleifer) September 30, 2026
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“Do you feel like he’s a little bit of a drag?,” a donor asked Paxton about the convention, per the Times’ recording.
“So to be honest with you, the numbers — when we did that convention — it dropped our numbers. Everybody’s numbers dropped. Right now, yeah, not good.”
Per the newspaper, the recording was obtained by “an attendee who recorded him speaking at a private fund-raiser in Washington attended by roughly a dozen people,” and the person who provided the recording is someone who opposes Paxton’s candidacy.
Paxton is a longtime Trump loyalist who defeated incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn in a primary with the president’s support. Paxton won despite a long list of personal scandals, spanning several years.
BREAKING: In stunning leaked audio from the New York Times, Ken Paxton was caught saying Donald Trump is dragging down his campaign. It appears there may be major trouble brewing for Trump and Paxton. pic.twitter.com/j8btTWN5Us
— Democratic Wins Media (@DemocraticWins) September 30, 2026
But while a Democrat has not won statewide in Texas in several years, some polls show Paxton trailing his Democratic opponent, James Talarico.
“He has trailed narrowly in many recent polls to his Democratic rival, James Talarico, leaving Republicans hoping that a huge surge of spending from outside groups and Texas’ traditional conservatism can carry Mr. Paxton to victory. Mr. Trump’s super PAC, MAGA Inc., has joined the effort to help Mr. Paxton, throwing $20 million behind his bid,” the Times said.
Photo courtesy of the Political Tribune media library.
