Support for Paxton's Campaign Faces Growing Republican Doubts

WHO:

NBC News - Angela Paxton, Texas state senator, stated in an ad, “Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. In a general election, it’s not as much about the individual players on the team; it’s about getting the whole team across the finish line.”

Fox News - Randy White, Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl MVP, endorsed Ken Paxton, saying, "He’s not afraid... He tells the truth. He’s not trying to win a popularity contest when he’s working."

Fox News - Randy White, Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl MVP and Hall of Famer, endorsed Ken Paxton, stating, "Ken Paxton will get in there and get things done. He’s not afraid."

NBC News - Angela Paxton, Texas state senator and estranged wife of Ken Paxton, filed for divorce from Paxton last year citing “biblical grounds.”

NBC News - Mattie Hayworth, Ken Paxton’s daughter, appeared in a campaign ad for her father.

CBS News - Latino Democratic leaders, including Julián Castro, former mayor of San Antonio and 2020 presidential contender.

CNN - Ken Paxton, Texas GOP Senate nominee, Angela Paxton (state senator and estranged wife of Ken Paxton), James Talarico (Democratic nominee).

Alternet - Jon Favreau and Dan Pfeiffer (hosts of Pod Save America), President Trump.

Alternet - Texas Republican strategist, unnamed GOP senator.

WHAT:

CBS News - A New York Times/Siena poll showed Democratic nominee James Talarico leading Ken Paxton by 6 percentage points.

Alternet - GOP officials are increasingly worried that MAGA Inc. won’t invest in Paxton's campaign in time, with concerns escalating after leaked audio of Paxton criticizing Trump's midterm convention.

Alternet - Republicans expect the cost of salvaging Paxton’s campaign to exceed $200 million from outside Republican groups.

CBS News - A New York Times/Siena College poll showed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa leading Republican Gov. Greg Abbott by three points, within the poll's margin of error.

Alternet - GOP officials are increasingly worried that MAGA Inc. won't invest in Paxton's campaign in time, with concerns escalating after leaked audio of Paxton criticizing Trump's midterm convention.

Alternet - Republicans expect the cost of salvaging Paxton’s campaign to exceed $200 million from outside Republican groups.

NBC News - Angela Paxton stated in a new ad, “In a general election, it’s not as much about the individual players on the team; it’s about getting the whole team across the finish line.”

NBC News - A poll from NBC5 Dallas/Telemundo Station Group showed James Talarico at 46% and Ken Paxton at 43%, within the margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

CBS News - A New York Times/Siena College poll showed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa leading Republican Gov. Greg Abbott by three points, within the poll's margin of error.

CBS News - More than 70 Latino Democratic leaders sent a letter urging the Democratic Governors Association to invest $10 million in the Texas governor's race.

CNN - Angela Paxton stated she will be “voting for the Republican ticket” in a new ad.

CNN - A New York Times/Siena poll showed James Talarico leading Ken Paxton by 6 percentage points.

Alternet - Ken Paxton was described as a "slow motion car crash" regarding his Senate campaign.

Alternet - Republicans expect the cost of salvaging Paxton’s campaign to exceed $200 million from outside Republican groups.

Alternet - Paxton was caught on tape saying that Trump’s midterm convention harmed his poll numbers.

WHERE:

CNN - Texas, specifically referencing the Texas Senate race.

Alternet - Dallas, Texas (location of Trump’s midterm convention).

WHEN:

NBC News - The general election is scheduled for November 3.

NBC News - Angela Paxton's ad was released on a Saturday.

CNN - The general election is scheduled for November 3.

Alternet - GOP ad bookings are set to run out on October 12.

WHY:

Alternet - GOP officials are concerned about wasting money on Paxton’s campaign due to his declining poll numbers and recent controversies, describing his candidacy as a "slow motion car crash."

NBC News - Angela Paxton emphasized the importance of holding every Republican seat to prevent handing control to Democrats.

CBS News - The letter from Latino Democratic leaders emphasizes the need for investment in Hinojosa's campaign due to her strength in Texas, as indicated by the recent poll.

CNN - Angela Paxton emphasized the importance of holding every Republican seat to prevent handing control to Democrats.

Alternet - GOP officials are concerned about wasting money on Paxton’s campaign due to his declining poll numbers and recent controversies.

HOW:

Alternet - Paxton was recorded discussing the negative impact of Trump’s convention on his campaign during a donor meeting, stating, "So to be honest with you, the numbers — when we did that convention — it dropped our numbers. Everybody’s numbers dropped."

Fox News - Randy White highlighted Paxton’s support for the National Child Identification Program, stating, "He is a big supporter of the Child ID program, which is something I’m a big supporter of — helping kids."

NBC News - Trump has visited Texas twice in the last month for campaign events, including a rally in Denton.

CBS News - Julián Castro called for the DGA and its chair, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, to support Hinojosa "in a real way" on social media.

CNN - Angela Paxton urged Republican women to support GOP candidates despite reservations.

Alternet - Paxton was recorded discussing the negative impact of Trump’s convention on his campaign during a donor meeting.

(UPDATED October 4, 2026 18:27 UTC)

Angela Paxton, a Texas state senator, emphasized the importance of teamwork in a recent ad, stating, “Let’s talk about the elephant in the room," while endorsing Ken Paxton, who received support from Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl MVP Randy White, who praised him for his honesty. A New York Times/Siena poll indicates that Democratic nominee James Talarico is currently leading Paxton by six percentage points, raising concerns among GOP officials about the viability of his campaign, especially after leaked audio revealed Paxton criticizing Trump’s midterm convention. With the general election set for November 3, Republicans anticipate that the cost to salvage Paxton’s campaign could exceed $200 million from outside groups, as they worry about wasting resources on what they describe as a "slow motion car crash."

(UPDATED October 4, 2026 15:33 UTC)

Randy White, the Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl MVP and Hall of Famer, has endorsed Ken Paxton, emphasizing that Paxton is determined to get things done and isn't afraid to take action. Meanwhile, a recent New York Times/Siena College poll indicates that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa is leading Republican Governor Greg Abbott by three points, which falls within the margin of error. Concerns are mounting among GOP officials about the viability of Paxton's campaign, with expectations that salvaging it could cost over $200 million due to his declining poll numbers and controversies.

(UPDATED October 4, 2026 04:02 UTC)

Angela Paxton, a Texas state senator and estranged wife of Ken Paxton, recently released an ad emphasizing the importance of securing every Republican seat to prevent Democrats from gaining control. In the ad, she stated, “In a general election, it’s not as much about the individual players on the team; it’s about getting the whole team across the finish line,” as a poll showed her husband trailing James Talarico by just three percentage points. Meanwhile, Trump has made two visits to Texas in the past month for campaign events, including a rally in Denton.

(UPDATED October 3, 2026 23:48 UTC)

Latino Democratic leaders, including Julián Castro, are urging the Democratic Governors Association to invest $10 million in the Texas gubernatorial race, highlighting the strength of candidate Gina Hinojosa, who is currently leading Republican Gov. Greg Abbott by three points in a recent New York Times/Siena College poll. The letter, signed by over 70 leaders, emphasizes the importance of this investment to bolster Hinojosa's campaign. Castro has called on the DGA and its chair, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, to support Hinojosa "in a real way" through social media outreach.

(UPDATED October 3, 2026 20:43 UTC)

In a new ad, Angela Paxton, the estranged wife of Texas GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton, declared her support for the Republican ticket, emphasizing the need to hold every Republican seat to prevent Democrats from gaining control. Meanwhile, a recent New York Times/Siena poll shows Democratic nominee James Talarico leading Paxton by six percentage points, raising concerns among GOP officials about the potential waste of over $200 million in campaign funds due to Paxton's declining poll numbers and controversies, including his comments on the negative impact of Trump's midterm convention. As the general election approaches on November 3, GOP ad bookings are set to expire on October 12, prompting Angela Paxton to encourage Republican women to rally behind GOP candidates despite any reservations they may have.