Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his bid for Senate were hit with some “troubling signs” Tuesday after a new poll showed him trailing his Democratic opponent, potentially paving the way for a Democrat to win a statewide election in the Lone Star State for the first time in more than 30 years, Axios reported.
“The Republican establishment isn't panicking – not yet, anyway,” Axios’ report reads. “But there are some troubling signs for the GOP nominee among white and Latino voters.”
A controversial figure in politics, Paxton faced accusations of bribery and abuse of public trust in 2023 during his impeachment trial. He faced accusations of infidelity from his wife, who filed for divorce on “biblical grounds” last year. And, despite having received the coveted endorsement from President Donald Trump, Paxton was hit with what Axios described as a “one-two blow” Tuesday from a new survey.
Conducted by Texas Southern University’s Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center, the poll surveyed 1,200 likely voters and found that Paxton’s opponent, Texas state Rep. James Talarico, was narrowly leading Paxton 47% – 45%. Furthermore, Paxton underperformed with two key demographics that helped propel Trump to the White House in 2024.
“He's underperforming badly with white voters (60% of the modeled midterm electorate) and Latino voters (21% of the electorate),” Axios’ report reads.
“Paxton is winning white voters by just 14 points, the survey found, low for a Texas Republican. President Trump won them by 33 in Texas two years ago, according to exit polls. Trump also carried Hispanic voters by 10 points. Talarico is winning them by 19, Texas Southern found."
However, Paxton’s team remained defiant.
“The only poll that matters is November 3," said Nick Maddux, an adviser to Paxton, Axios reported. “Talarico's campaign will end up exactly where every Democrat before him has ended up in Texas – a pipe dream."