Ridicule as Ken Paxton's 'silly' campaign ad backfires: ‘Voters aren't stupid'

Texas Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton faced backlash Friday after releasing a new campaign ad acknowledging that prices “keep climbing" — while blaming Democrats for making life more expensive in a ruby red state the GOP has controlled for over 30 years.

The ad features Paxton’s daughter, Mattie Hayworth, who describes her father as a “fighter” before turning to the high prices facing Texans.

“Right now, Texas families are working harder and getting less for it,” she says. “Groceries, rent, insurance — it all keeps climbing. And liberal politicians are making it worse.”

The ad quickly generated attention online, with critics pouncing on its message about rising prices.

CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale quickly flagged the spot as “another of many Republican ads in tough races rejecting President Donald Trump’s claims that prices are way down and falling rapidly.”

“Like others, this ad tries to pivot from the acknowledgment of inflation to criticism of Democrats,” Dale wrote on X.

“I'm struggling to recall which party is currently in power in Washington and has controlled the state of Texas for decades,” Texas Observer investigative reporter Steven Monacelli posted.

Rep. Christian Menefee (D-TX) declared that “silly season is in full swing,” arguing that Republicans have controlled the Lone Star State for decades while currently holding the White House and both chambers of Congress.

“Voters aren’t stupid,” he added.

Republicans have held every statewide elected office in Texas since 1999, and the Texas House since 2003, according to media reports.

Attorney and political commentator Sarah Rumpf highlighted that point, writing in a social media post: “How exactly are you part of the solution to the problem you have caused?”

Paxton, meanwhile, promoted the ad on Friday by accusing Democratic Senate Rival James Talarico of making it “harder to get ahead.”

“But when they come after you,” Paxton wrote, “I go after them.”