Ken Paxton blames Trump's Iran war, high gas prices for Senate campaign woes in leaked audio

WASHINGTON, DC: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, in leaked audio published on Wednesday, October 7, privately blamed the US war with Iran and high fuel prices for difficulties in his Senate campaign.

Paxton said diesel prices above $6 per gallon were putting pressure on voters and described affordability as the campaign’s “biggest problem.”

The recording emerged just hours before President Donald Trump was scheduled to campaign with Paxton in San Antonio, marking Trump’s third visit to Texas in less than a month.

Ken Paxton blames Iran war, fuel prices

Paxton made the remarks during a private fundraising event for donors and lobbyists in Washington, DC, last month.

When asked which issues were affecting his campaign, Paxton rejected tariffs as the primary concern and instead pointed to the war in Iran, gasoline and diesel prices. “It’s not tariffs … It’s the war, it’s gas prices, it’s diesel,” Paxton said, according to the audio obtained by Axios.

Paxton then pointed to the impact of diesel costs on consumers and businesses, saying that “when it’s over $6 per gallon for diesel … people are feeling the pinch.” The Texas candidate added that higher fuel costs were affecting food prices and other expenses.

The Republican nominee described cost-of-living concerns as “by far our biggest problem” and linked them to difficulties reflected in his campaign numbers. When an attendee noted that Paxton could not control gas prices, he acknowledged the limits of his influence over federal policy.

“So many factors in this federal race are uncontrollable. I don’t make the decisions, and I don’t … know what’s behind some of the decisions,” Paxton said.

Paxton also discussed his proposals for addressing affordability, including tax write-offs for housing, health care and family-related expenses, as well as an expansion of the child tax credit.

“I’m just trying to figure out ways that I can help people; that’s the only way I can propose legislation.”

However, his campaign dismissed the significance of the recording, calling it a “non-story” and arguing that Paxton was describing concerns already facing Texas voters.

Trump rally follows leaked Ken Paxton audio

The recording is the third recent audio leak involving Paxton’s private remarks. In another recording published by the New York Times, Paxton said that Trump’s midterm convention in Dallas had actually hurt his campaign numbers. 

A separate recording published by Politico showed Paxton saying his campaign was “all coming from DC.”

The latest recording adds to scrutiny of Paxton’s relationship with Trump as the president continues to campaign on his behalf.

Trump held a rally with Paxton in San Antonio on Wednesday, October 7, as Republicans seek to defend the Texas Senate seat against Democratic state Rep James Talarico.

Paxton’s campaign sought to emphasize its support for Trump while responding to the leaked remarks.

A spokesperson for Paxton said that “the Attorney General said what every Texan already knows: gas and diesel prices are too high, and hardworking Texans are struggling at the pump and at the grocery store.”

The campaign added, “President Trump is doing everything he can to bring prices down, and Ken Paxton is going to Washington to help him by putting money back in families’ pockets.”