GOP strategist Karl Rove sounds the alarm on Republican Ken Paxton’s struggling Texas Senate campaign against James Talarico: ‘Time is running out’
Fox News contributor Karl Rove warned that Ken Paxton is running out of time to turn things around in the Texas Senate race.
Rove made the comments Wednesday, September 2, on the Brian Kilmeade Show, saying Paxton needs to pick up the pace as Texas state Rep. James Talarico has a big lead in fundraising and advertising.
“Time is running out,” Rove said, arguing that Donald Trump needs to put more money into the race if Republicans want Paxton to win.
‘He’s lazy’
Rove weighed in on the race while speaking with Fox News host Brian Kilmeade.
At one point, Kilmeade brought up recent comments from Paxton’s Republican primary opponent, Sen. John Cornyn.
In an interview with The Texas Tribune last week, Cornyn said he does not plan to help Paxton in the general election.
“He’s lazy and doesn’t raise money,” Cornyn told the paper. “And he basically is not offering a very compelling case for his election.”
‘Do more’
Kilmeade then mentioned John Thune’s recent Fox News appearance, where the Senate majority leader asked Trump to “do more” through his MAGA Inc. to support Paxton.
Fox News host Martha MacCallum also noted the large fundraising gap between the two candidates, saying Talarico had brought in about $21 million, while Paxton had raised around $1 million to $2 million.
Rove and Kilmeade turned back to Paxton’s campaign schedule, questioning whether the Republican nominee is doing enough to compete with Talarico.
“He was in Washington the week before the Fourth of July, on that weekend. No fundraiser that I can find,” Rove noted.
“And then on Tuesday, he was seen leaving for Iceland with his latest girlfriend, and then the two of them spent the Fourth of July celebrating in London, England … If he wanted to go to London, he should have gone to London, Texas.”
More money
Rove argued that Paxton had Trump to thank for his primary win, saying he would have lost without the endorsement.
He also agreed with Thune’s earlier statement that MAGA Inc. should to step up its support, adding that Trump “needs to come in!”
“Time is running out!” Rove added. “If the president wants to have Paxton win, he needs to be tossing a lot of money Paxton’s way.”
Paxton’s controversies
Rove warned that Talarico could spend the rest of the race focusing on Paxton’s controversies if the Republican doesn’t turn things around.
He’s been criticized over alleged voter fraud, lavish vacations and his reported relationship with a woman Rove called his “mistress.”
The Daily Mail reported that Paxton was in London on the Fourth of July with Christian influencer Tracy Duhon. The outlet had previously noted that the two were seen together in Iceland.
According to reports, Paxton and Duhon have been “romantically involved” since 2024. Paxton has not publicly confirmed the relationship.
The overseas trip came while he was going through a divorce from Texas state Sen. Angela Paxton, who has accused him of cheating.