Trump is making another major push in Texas as the November 3 midterm elections get closer. President Donald Trump visited Texas for the third time in less than a month to campaign for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton. Paxton has privately questioned Trump’s political strength, while Trump has also publicly insulted him in the past.
Trump’s Texas trip is part of a wider midterm campaign strategy. His goal is to help Republican candidates by increasing turnout among his supporters. Paxton’s campaign, however, clearly wants Trump’s help. Paxton has also appeared to blame some of Trump’s policies and decisions for problems hurting his campaign. Paxton’s campaign rejected the idea that he was attacking Trump. Trump has supported Paxton politically but has also repeatedly mocked and criticized him. Trump changed his tone during Wednesday’s rally in San Antonio. Paxton also welcomed Trump’s presence at the rally. He thanked Trump and asked the crowd whether they were glad the president had come to San Antonio.
He has been travelling to Republican states that he won comfortably in 2024, including Alabama, Oklahoma and Nebraska. Because the GOP is fighting to keep control of the Senate, texas has become an important battleground for Republicans.
Republicans are facing a tougher-than-expected fight to hold their Senate majority, and Texas is now seen as an important part of their path to keeping control, according to CNN. A Texas GOP strategist said Paxton’s team appears to have decided that bringing Trump into the race is worth the political risk. Paxton told donors and lobbyists last month that the Iran war and high gas prices were hurting his campaign, according to CNN, according to audio obtained by Axios. Spokeswoman Madison Cercy said Paxton was simply talking about high gas and diesel prices and the financial pressure facing Texans. She also said Trump is trying to bring prices down. Instead of attacking Paxton, Trump called him a “fantastic man” and said he was proud of him. Trump also said Paxton would be an “unbelievable senator”, according to CNN.
