US News
Ken Paxton faces close Texas Senate race amid past allegations
The Guardian reports Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are in a dead heat, with some polls showing Talarico ahead.
The short version
- The Guardian reports Republican Ken Paxton, Texas attorney general, is in a dead heat with Democrat James Talarico.[The Guardian]
- Paxton has faced numerous controversies, including securities charges settled without an admission of guilt and an acquitted impeachment.[The Guardian]
- A Wall Street Journal report says Paxton was filmed at a 2024 Dubai party with an extramarital girlfriend and two indicted men; his campaign dismissed it.[The Guardian]
- Leaked audio reportedly has Paxton acknowledging campaign struggles, and the Texas race is due next month.[The Guardian]
Key facts
- Ken Paxton is Texas's attorney general and the Republican candidate for US Senate.[The Guardian]
- Paxton survived state securities-related prosecution, which he settled without admitting guilt, and an impeachment by the Texas legislature on abuse-of-office charges, of which he was acquitted.[The Guardian]
- In 2020, eight Paxton staffers asked the FBI to investigate alleged abuse of office involving a real estate investor and an alleged affair; Paxton and the investor denied the allegations, and the investor was never charged.[The Guardian]
- The Wall Street Journal reported that in 2024 Paxton was filmed at a New Year's Eve party in Dubai with an extramarital girlfriend and two men under indictment for federal healthcare fraud, one of whom had donated $190,000 to Paxton.[The Guardian]
- Trump endorsed Paxton for Senate over John Cornyn, despite misgivings from some Republicans.[The Guardian]
- Paxton and Talarico are in a dead heat, with some polls showing Talarico leading.[The Guardian]
- The Texas Senate election is scheduled for next month.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- Allegations about Paxton's past conduct, including a 2011 stock gift and the 2020 FBI referral, are disputed, and Paxton and others denied them.[The Guardian]
- Leaked audio clips came from unnamed sources, and the reporting does not independently confirm their full context.[The Guardian]
- Whether Paxton is struggling in the polls is a matter of interpretation, as observers offer differing assessments.[The Guardian]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.