In leaked audio, Ken Paxton says Trump convention dropped Republican polling numbers
FULL: Ken Paxton’s 2026 RNC Midterm Convention Speech
Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, speaks at the Republican National Committee’s 2026 midterm convention. During his remarks, Paxton thanked President Donald Trump, discussed his personal background and border security, outlined his "Protecting the Texas Promise" plan, and highlighted his record as Texas attorney general. Paxton also criticized Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico and urged Republicans to support his campaign.
Texas Attorney General and Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton told a private fundraiser that President Donald Trump's midterm convention hurt the party's candidates, according to leaked audio from the event.
The audio obtained by the New York Times comes from a fundraiser that took place in Washington last week and was attended by around a dozen people.
What they're saying:
On the recording, someone asks: "Do you feel like he's a little bit of a drag?" It is not clear from the audio who the person is referencing.
"So, to be honest with you, the numbers – when we did the convention – it dropped our numbers. Everybody's numbers dropped. Right now, yeah, not good," Paxton can be heard saying.
Paxton's attendance was confirmed to The Times by multiple people. Two of those people said they remembered Paxton being asked and one remembered his response about the negative consequences of the convention.
The Times reported that the person who recorded the audio opposed Paxton's campaign and was not named because the audio came from a private event.
The other side:
Paxton senior advisor Nick Maddux said "this is more manipulated nonsense from the New York Times to create a story that doesn't exist."
"Our latest poll from the last week has Ken Paxton leading by three points, and every serious pollster will tell you that our numbers have improved since early September," Maddux said. "Ken Paxton is going to win this race, and he looks forward to closing strong alongside President Trump including when he comes to Texas this week."
The Paxton campaign released a poll from Pulse Decision Science on Tuesday afternoon that shows Paxton leading the Senate race by three points, 48% to 45%.
Maddux said Paxton would be with the president on Thursday when he visits a Peterbilt Motors facility in Denton, Texas.
Trump takes jabs at Paxton during convention
Ken Paxton, Texas attorney general and Republican US Senate candidate, during the first day of the Republican Midterm Convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, US, on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. November's midterm elections will hing
Dig deeper:
Paxton spoke on night one of the Republican midterm convention in Dallas. He took the opportunity to promote his record of litigation against the Biden administration and seemingly acknowledged the fight at hand with Democrat James Talarico.
"I need your prayers, your votes and your support," Paxton said at the convention. "If we lose Texas, we lose the common sense revolution."
Trump calls Paxton greatest attorney general in history
President Donald Trump urged Texans to elect Ken Paxton, joking about Paxton’s appearance, clothing and speaking style before praising him as "the greatest attorney general in the history of our country."
Later that night and again on the second night, Trump poked fun at Paxton's appearance before calling him "the greatest attorney general in the history of our country."
Texas Attorney General and Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton laughs after President Donald Trump pokes fun at Paxton's appearance during the Republican midterm convention in Dallas.
"He may not dress right. He may not talk exactly perfectly, and he may not be the best-looking guy you've ever seen, but you know what he is? He's the greatest attorney general in America, and he deserves to be your next senator," Trump said on the first night of the convention.
Trump endorsed Paxton over incumbent Sen. Cornyn
Paxton is in the middle of a contentious and close Senate race with Talarico. Most recent polling has shown Talarico with a lead in the race. Democrats are looking to win a statewide election for the first time in more than 30 years.
Who leads 2026 Texas Senate race? Paxton vs. Talarico poll tracker
Polls have shown the hotly contested U.S. Senate race in Texas is in a dead heat.
Paxton defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary after the contest went to a runoff and Trump endorsed the attorney general.
The attorney general has positioned himself as one of Trump's most loyal allies.
"In Washington, Ken Paxton will champion President Trump’s legislative priorities," Paxton's campaign website reads next to a photo of him and the president.
The Source: Information in this article came from leaked audio obtained by the New York Times. Comments on the audio from the Paxton campaign came from Paxton Senior Advisor Nick Maddux. Information on the Republican midterm convention and polling in the U.S. Senate race came from previous FOX Local reporting.