Paxton tells donors Iran war and fuel prices are Republicans' biggest problem

AP-NORC poll finds 65% blame Trump policies for higher costs

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican Senate nominee in Texas, told donors at a closed-door fundraising event that rising fuel prices from President Donald Trump’s Iran war are the Republican Party’s biggest problem heading into next month’s midterm elections, according to an audio recording obtained by Axios. The Axios recording is the latest leaked audio clip in which Paxton has been critical of his own party’s handling of the race.

The recording captures Paxton responding to a question about what issues were “dragging” his campaign. “It’s not tariffs … it’s the war, it’s gas prices, it’s diesel,” Paxton said, according to the audio. “When it’s over $6 per gallon for diesel … people are feeling the pinch.”

Paxton acknowledged that affordability was Republicans’ “biggest problem” heading into the election, citing polling that he said showed Democrats ahead in many competitive races, including his own. He told attendees that “so many factors in this federal race are uncontrollable” and added, “I don’t make the decisions, and I don’t, you know, I don’t know what’s behind some of the decisions.”

Madison Cercy, a spokesperson for Paxton’s campaign, pushed back on the significance of the comments in a statement, calling them “a non-story.” “The attorney general said what every Texan already knows: gas and diesel prices are too high, and hardworking Texans are struggling at the pump and at the grocery store,” Cercy said. “President Trump is doing everything he can to bring prices down, and Ken Paxton is going to Washington to help him by putting money back in families’ pockets with a bigger child tax credit and larger deductions for health care and buying a home. Texans need immediate relief, and everyone knows James Talarico will raise your taxes.” The Guardian has asked Paxton’s campaign for further comment.

The comments come as affordability has emerged as a defining issue for voters across the country. Recent polling from the Associated Press/NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates that approximately 74% of Americans said the economy was leaning poorly. Another 65% of survey respondents said they blame Trump’s policies directly for higher costs.

The Axios recording is the latest in a series of leaked audio clips in which Paxton has been critical of his own party. Earlier this week, Politico reported that Paxton privately told people at a separate closed-door event that outside forces in Washington, D.C., were controlling much of his campaign messaging.

“I’ve never been in a race where I felt less control over the campaign and, like, what issues are going to matter because it’s all coming – you know – from DC,” Paxton said, according to the audio obtained by Politico. Last week, the New York Times reported that Paxton acknowledged that Trump’s Republican midterm convention “dropped” his polling numbers.

Paxton, who serves as Texas attorney general, is running against progressive Democrat James Talarico. Polls show the two candidates are essentially tied, though Talarico holds a small lead. Trump, who picked Paxton to run as the Republican in the Texas Senate race, is scheduled to appear with Paxton at a rally in San Antonio on Wednesday evening.

In the Axios audio, Paxton said he was trying to address costs through his own proposals, including a tax cut plan that features healthcare and housing write-offs. Trump has publicly insisted his administration has done more to lower everyday prices for Americans than Democrats.