Karl Rove Sounds Alarm Over Ken Paxton’s Chances in Tight Texas Senate Race

Republican strategist Karl Rove is reportedly raising doubts about Republican Ken Paxton’s prospects in the Texas Senate race, warning that the candidate is running out of time to turn the contest around before November.

Rove delivered the blunt assessment Wednesday during an appearance on Fox News Radio’s “The Brian Kilmeade Show,” where he argued that President Donald Trump may need to provide Paxton with significant financial support.

“So, time is running out. If the president wants to have Paxton win, he needs to be tossing a lot of money Paxton’s way so that ads can be run that depict Talarico as the far-left winger that he is,” Rove said, referring to Democratic candidate James Talarico.

Rove warned that without a forceful advertising campaign against Talarico, Paxton could allow the Democrat to define the central message of the race.

“If not, Talarico is going to run the message of, ‘My opponent is the most corrupt politician in Texas history,’ all the way to the victory lane,” Rove added.

The Republican strategist’s warning comes as polling indicates Paxton is facing a difficult general election contest. One recent survey showed Talarico receiving support from 47% of respondents, while Paxton attracted 40% when voters were asked how they would vote if the election took place that day, according to The Hill’s report republished by AOL.

Democrats have repeatedly attempted to score major statewide victories in traditionally Republican Texas but have struggled to break through.

One of the party’s most prominent recent efforts came in 2018, when former Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke mounted a challenge against Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.

Although Democrats generally face an uphill climb in the Lone Star State, Paxton enters the race with significant political baggage.

The Texas attorney general has been involved in several controversies and previously faced impeachment in the state House on corruption charges. Paxton was ultimately acquitted by the Texas Senate.

Talarico is also campaigning in what the article describes as a favorable political environment for Democrats. The war in Iran has reached its sixth month, while Trump’s national approval rating has declined and recent surveys have shown Americans expressing concerns about the economy.

A Decision Desk HQ polling average placed Trump’s approval rating at 39.4% Thursday evening, compared with a 57% disapproval rating. Decision Desk HQ’s public tracker provides the individual surveys used to calculate its presidential approval average.

With November approaching, Rove’s comments underscore Republican concerns about a race that Democrats hope could deliver a rare statewide victory in Texas.

The strategist argued that Trump’s financial support could be crucial if Paxton is to counter Talarico’s message and improve his position before voters head to the polls.