Republicans 'Scared to Death' Over Texas Senate Race Despite Trump's $10 Million Boost, Analyst Says
Key Takeaways
- •MAGA Inc., the super PAC controlled by Donald Trump, transferred $10 million over the weekend to support Ken Paxton's Senate bid against Democrat James Talarico.
- •Puck analyst Abby Livingston said the $10 million infusion is unlikely to change the race's trajectory because Texas is an extremely expensive state to campaign in.
- •Livingston questioned Trump's actual engagement, suggesting his promised Texas campaigning reflects his fondness for the red state more than commitment to the race.
- •Texas has not elected a Democrat to statewide office since 1994, the longest such streak in the nation, giving the race national significance for Republicans' narrow Senate majority.
- •Livingston said Senate Republicans and Texas GOP insiders are deeply worried about the race, and heavy Democratic spending in Texas could affect Senate contests elsewhere.
A $10 million injection from President Donald Trump is unlikely to rescue the struggling Senate campaign of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, according to political analyst Abby Livingston of Puck, who spoke Monday on MS NOW with host Peter Alexander.
The discussion centered on whether Trump is "growing anxious" about the possibility of the Texas Senate seat flipping to Democrats. Texas has not elected a Democrat to statewide office since 1994, the longest such streak in the country, which is part of why a competitive race there carries national implications for a chamber where Republicans hold a narrow majority.
"I think it's still unclear how engaged the president is actually on this race," Livingston said. "He's saying he's going to campaign in Texas. But I think that's more about his interest in being in Texas, in a red state."
Campaign finance records show that MAGA Inc., the super PAC controlled by Trump, transferred the large sum over the weekend to promote Paxton and target his general election opponent, Texas state Rep. James Talarico. Paxton, who has served as attorney general since 2015, won the GOP nomination after a hard-fought primary that divided prominent Texas Republicans, while Talarico, an Austin-area lawmaker and former public school teacher, has drawn national Democratic attention to the race.
Livingston expressed doubt that the money would change the trajectory of the contest.
"I don't think it's enough," she said. "Texas is an enormous money pit, and even if James Talarico comes up short in this race, he may bring down other Senate seats in other states for Democrats."
Her comment reflects a dynamic both parties have cited in recent cycles: resources spent defending or contesting a Texas race are funds not available for battleground states, and heavy Democratic investment there in 2018 and 2020 ultimately fell short in statewide races even as turnout surged.
While Trump himself may be disengaged from the race, Livingston argued, other conservatives are watching it intensely — for reasons that spell trouble for their party.
"Boy, those Senate Republicans are terrified of this race," she said. "People on the ground in Texas, Republicans, are scared to death over this race."
The segment was broadcast on YouTube.
