Ken Paxton Says Trump Hurt GOP

A leaked audio recording from a private Washington fundraiser appears to show Texas Senate nominee Ken Paxton saying Donald Trump’s Dallas midterm convention hurt his campaign. Paxton is trying to hold a Texas Senate seat Republicans have controlled for decades, while public polling has generally shown Democrat James Talarico ahead or effectively tied. Trump had praised the Dallas event and said it helped Paxton, whose campaign still depends on Trump’s backing. Paxton’s campaign denied the report as “manipulated nonsense” and said internal polling showed him ahead by about three points. In the recording, Paxton says, “Everybody’s numbers dropped.” Trump is set to campaign again in Texas, with Paxton expected beside him in Denton.