Ken Paxton Admits Campaign 'Loss of Control' in Leaked Audio

Texas Republican Ken Paxton, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, has been recorded admitting he feels he has "less control" over his own campaign. The comments were made during a private fundraising lunch with Washington D.C. lobbyists on September 24, according to audio obtained by Politico.

"I've never been in a race where I felt less control over the campaign," Paxton stated to approximately a dozen donors. He further elaborated, "I don't control message or what we're doing," adding that direction was originating from outside his campaign, and he lacked the "ability to change anything."

This marks the second instance of damaging audio emerging from the fundraiser in less than a week. The revelations come as new polling indicates the race in the traditionally deep red state is tightening. A recent New York Times/Siena poll shows Paxton trailing Democrat James Talarico by six points with less than a month remaining until the election.

The leaks surface as President Donald Trump is actively campaigning in several traditionally Republican states to prevent Democrats from gaining control of the House and Senate. Trump is currently facing challenges including record low approval ratings and economic pressures attributed to the war in Iran.

One attendee at the lunch told Politico that while Paxton did not explicitly name the Trump campaign, the implication was understood by those present. This admission is particularly notable given Paxton's primary campaign strategy, which positioned him as an outsider against incumbent John Cornyn, whom Paxton had labeled a "Washington insider and a RINO."

Paxton's advisor, Nick Maddux, stated that the attorney general was referring to super PACs, with which campaigns are prohibited from coordinating. Maddux also dismissed another recording, where Paxton reportedly said Trump's midterm convention in Texas "dropped our numbers," as "manipulated nonsense."

The fundraising lunch was hosted by a prominent D.C. lobby firm. At the event, a defense contractor executive reportedly drew laughter by questioning how the campaign's messaging resonated with "real people" in Texas.

Despite the recent leaks and polling shifts, Paxton maintains a significant financial advantage over Talarico and recently initiated a $20 million advertising campaign. He has also received substantial funding from Senate Majority Leader John Thune's GOP fund since early September.