Leaked audio has emerged of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton privately saying that a GOP midterm convention in Dallas hurt his U.S. Senate campaign's poll numbers, according to multiple reports.
According to The New York Times, which obtained the audio, Paxton said "everybody's numbers dropped" after the convention. The New York Post and Independent Journal Review also reported this quote, with IJR citing audio from what it described as a Washington, D.C. fundraiser.
Paxton is described by the Times as one of the party's top Senate candidates and a Trump loyalist. The New York Post reported he faces Democrat James Talarico in what it called a tight race.
According to Independent Journal Review, Paxton's campaign responded by citing an internal poll showing him up by three points.
Left-leaning outlets including The New Republic and The Daily Beast characterized the remarks as Paxton privately criticizing former President Trump, though the specific critical comments were not detailed in the available summaries.
How each side covered it
Left
- The New Republic and The Daily Beast framed the leaked audio as Paxton "trashing" Trump privately.
- The New York Times reported Paxton said the Dallas convention caused "everybody's numbers" to drop, based on audio it obtained.
- Coverage described Paxton as a Trump loyalist and a top Senate candidate for the GOP.
“Ken Paxton, one of the party's top Senate candidates and a Trump loyalist, said that "everybody's numbers dropped" after the event, according to audio obtained by The Times.” — The New York Times
Right
- Newsmax and the New York Post reported Paxton admitted the GOP convention hurt his campaign's polling.
- The New York Post identified Paxton's opponent as Democrat James Talarico and called the race tight.
- Independent Journal Review specified the audio was from a Washington, D.C. fundraiser and that Paxton said the convention "dropped our numbers".
- Independent Journal Review reported Paxton's campaign cited an internal poll showing him ahead by three points.
“Leaked D.C. fundraiser audio captures Ken Paxton saying the Dallas GOP convention 'dropped our numbers'; his campaign cites an internal poll with him up three.” — Independent Journal Review
Questions readers ask
What did Ken Paxton say in the leaked audio?
According to The New York Times, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said "everybody's numbers dropped" after a GOP midterm convention in Dallas, suggesting the event hurt his Senate campaign's polling.
Who is Ken Paxton running against?
Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Texas, is running against Democrat James Talarico, according to the New York Post.
How did left-leaning and right-leaning outlets differ in their coverage?
Left-leaning outlets like The New Republic and The Daily Beast framed the leaked audio as Paxton privately criticizing former President Trump, while right-leaning outlets such as Newsmax and the New York Post focused on Paxton's admission that the convention hurt his poll numbers.
Where did the leaked audio reportedly come from?
Independent Journal Review reported the audio came from a fundraiser in Washington, D.C.
How has Paxton's campaign responded?
According to Independent Journal Review, Paxton's campaign pointed to an internal poll showing him leading by three points.
Sources · 13 outlet reports
- CNNLeft-leaningKen Paxton says Trump’s convention hurt the GOP. He has a point
- Common DreamsLeft-leaning'It Dropped Our Numbers': In Leaked Audio, Ken Paxton Admits Trump's Texas Convention Backfired
- HuffPostLeft-leaningKen Paxton Privately Admits Trump's Midterm Convention Negatively Affected Support
- The Daily BeastLeft-leaningMust-Win MAGA Senate Candidate Ken Paxton Caught Secretly Trashing Trump
- The New RepublicLeft-leaningKen Paxton Caught Privately Trashing Trump in Leaked Audio
- The New York TimesLeft-leaningKen Paxton, G.O.P. Nominee in Texas, Privately Said Trump’s Convention Hurt Him
- ForbesCenterKen Paxton Says Trump’s Midterm Convention Hurt The GOP In Leaked Audio
- ReutersCenterTexas US Senate candidate Paxton said Trump hurt Republicans, New York Times says
- The HillCenterPaxton: Trump GOP midterm convention ‘dropped our numbers’
- Independent Journal ReviewRight-leaningLeaked Audio Has Paxton Saying Convention Hurt His Poll Numbers
- New York PostRight-leaningKen Paxton admitted ‘everybody’s numbers dropped’ after GOP midterm convention: report
- NewsmaxRight-leaningPaxton: GOP Midterm Convention Hurt Campaign
- Washington ExaminerRight-leaningPaxton says Trump’s midterm convention dragged GOP numbers down in leaked audio