Fact Check: Did Ken Paxton call for a probe into election results after his midterm defeat?

AUSTIN, TEXAS: After the Democrats swept the midterm elections, a rumor is circulating on social media platforms claiming that Texas Senate Republican candidate Ken Paxton has called for an investigation into the election results. The claim has sparked mockery, with many calling for a fact-check.

Claim: Ken Paxton calls midterm results unfair

The rumor surfaced as an NBC News graphic, displaying an alleged statement by Paxton.

The statement read, “The state of Texas is a proud Republican stronghold. It has given our party its unwavering support for decades. I cannot accept that the result tonight was free or fair."

"It is simply not possible for somebody with the radical ideology of James Talarico to win an election in Texas fairly. I call upon the Senators and Representatives of this country, as well as our President, to take whatever action necessary to secure our elections, investigate thoroughly, and ensure that the results of these elections are fair. American democracy must be secure."

The X post that shared the purported statement has garnered hundreds of thousands of views, drawing conflicting reactions from online users, with many believing it, while others remained skeptical.

Fact Check: Ken Paxton issued no such statement

The claim, however, is false, as Paxton did not say that he could not accept the election results and called for a probe.

In a speech during his election-night watch party in Dallas, he conceded the race, stating, “Well, let me start out by congratulating James Talarico. I will commit that I will be praying for him, that he will do good for Texas and this nation"

"...I'll always love Texas. We will still fight for this place. We will fight for our country...We've had a difficult night tonight across the country, but it's not over.”

There is no mention of him calling for an investigation into the election results, nor are there any reports from NBC News about such a statement.

James Talarico scores historic Texas victory

The claim surfaced after Democrat Talarico defeated Paxton in the Texas Senate race, flipping a Republican-held seat and delivering a historic victory for Democrats in a state that has not elected a Democratic senator since 1988.  

The victory is seen as a major setback for President Donald Trump, who backed Paxton during the party’s primary contest, and Talarico’s win gives Democrats a crucial pickup in their effort to take control of the Senate.