Ken Paxton, G.O.P. Nominee in Texas, Privately Said Trump’s Convention Hurt Him

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Published: 2026-09-30T09:21:14.179Z • Permanent link

Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for Senate in Texas, has revealed that his campaign was severely impacted by Donald Trump's infamous 2020 Republican National Convention. According to audio obtained by The Times, Paxton expressed his concerns about the convention's effect on his numbers, stating that "everybody's numbers dropped" after the event. Paxton's comments were made in a private conversation, but they provide insight into the potential consequences of Trump's actions on the party's candidates. Trump's convention was marked by controversy, with many attendees and observers criticizing the former president's handling of the event.

Paxton's concerns are not unique to him. Several other Republican candidates have faced backlash from Trump's supporters and the media, which has led to a significant decline in their poll numbers. For example, Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) and former Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY) both faced intense scrutiny from Trump's base after they failed to endorse the former president. This phenomenon is not limited to Republican candidates, however. Many Democrats have also faced criticism from their party's base and the media after they have distanced themselves from Trump's policies.

The impact of Trump's convention on Paxton's campaign is significant. As one of the party's top Senate candidates, Paxton's numbers are crucial to the Republican Party's chances of winning the seat. Paxton has been a vocal supporter of Trump's policies, but his campaign's struggles suggest that even the most loyal Trump supporters are not immune to the consequences of the former president's actions.

Paxton's comments highlight the fragile nature of Republican politics in the post-Trump era. The former president's influence over the party is still felt, but his actions are increasingly perceived as divisive and damaging to the party's candidates. This phenomenon is not limited to Paxton's campaign, however. Many Republican candidates are struggling to distance themselves from Trump's policies and actions, which has led to a significant decline in their poll numbers.

The impact of Paxton's convention-related struggles on the Republican Party's Senate prospects is significant. The party is already facing an uphill battle in Texas, which has a history of electing Democratic senators. Paxton's struggles suggest that the party may not have the necessary momentum to win the seat, which could have significant implications for the party's overall Senate prospects. Additionally, Paxton's struggles highlight the need for Republican candidates to distance themselves from Trump's policies and actions, which is a challenge that many candidates are struggling to overcome.

Paxton's campaign is not alone in facing challenges related to Trump's convention. Many research communities and institutions are also grappling with the implications of Trump's actions, which has led to a significant decline in funding and support for research related to Trump's policies. For example, the University of Texas at Austin's Center for Politics and Governance has seen a significant decline in funding due to the controversy surrounding Trump's convention. This decline in funding highlights the need for research institutions to prioritize neutrality and objectivity in their research, which is a challenge that many institutions are struggling to overcome.