A Newsmax host put Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on the spot Thursday, warning the Republican Senate candidate that time is running out to deliver on his promise to “expose” Democratic rival James Talarico with roughly 80 days remaining until Election Day.
Paxton, who faces Talarico in November’s Texas Senate race, argued during the interview that greater scrutiny of the Democrat’s record and political positions would ultimately derail his campaign.
“Once we expose [Talarico] for who he really is, the radical leftist views that he has, I think there’s no way that Texas can elect him,” Paxton said.
Newsmax host Krysia Lenzo quickly challenged Paxton over when voters could expect that campaign offensive to begin.
“With all due respect, AG Paxton, I mean, when are you going to ‘expose’ James Talarico, though, in terms of his many claims, because we have around 80 days until Election Day and at the time clocks ticking, many are worried that this might be resulting in the Senate going to the Democrats,” Lenzo said.
Paxton pointed to his expensive Republican primary battle against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn as one reason his campaign has been slow to turn its attention toward Talarico.
Paxton defeated Cornyn after receiving a late endorsement from President Donald Trump.
“That’s a great question. You’ll remember I had a runoff that lasted till May 26th. On the 27th, I had $0 left to spend,” Paxton said.
Talarico, meanwhile, defeated Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic Senate primary.
Paxton argued that his Democratic opponent entered the general election with a significant fundraising advantage and said much of Talarico’s campaign money came from outside Texas.
The attorney general said his campaign has spent the summer rebuilding its resources following the Republican primary and predicted Texans could begin seeing a more aggressive campaign as soon as next week.
“So we’ve been trying to build it up during the summer, which is challenging, but we’re going to get there and we’re I think you’re going to see things start popping potentially next week for us,” Paxton said. “And then they will build up as we get closer to the election. So it’s just a matter of time.”
Paxton vowed that once his campaign has the necessary resources, it will focus heavily on Talarico’s record as a member of the Texas legislature.
“And once we have the resources, what you’re talking about is going to happen,” Paxton said. “We are going to expose more of his record.”
Paxton also accused Talarico of shifting his political positions since winning the Democratic primary.
“He’s on record with votes and with his words, and we’re going to hold him accountable,” Paxton said.
With Election Day approaching, Lenzo’s questioning underscored concerns about whether Paxton will have enough time and resources to make his case against Talarico and keep the reliably Republican Texas Senate seat from flipping to Democrats.
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