If Democrats win their first statewide election in Texas in more than 30 years, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will be to blame.
Or so says longtime GOP strategist Karl Rove. Yes, that Karl Rove.
During an interview on Fox News’ Sunday Night in America, Rove said Texas Republicans are likely handing Dems a win if they pick scandal-ridden Paxton over incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the 2026 primary. Cornyn, whose served four terms in the Senate, would be a “gimme” in the general election, the strategist added.
“If his principal opponent, Attorney General Ken Paxton, were to be the nominee — given the scandals, and indictments, and guilty pleas, and girlfriends, and mistresses, and jobs traded for mistresses for influence inside the attorney general’s office on issues important to corrupt, indicted real estate guys — that’s not going to be a pleasant opportunity for Republicans to keep that seat,” Rove said. “And we may, if Paxton’s the nominee, see the first Democratic victory statewide since 1994 in Texas.”
In case anyone hasn’t keeping score at home, Paxton’s political baggage includes a near-impeachment by the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature over allegations of bribery and abuse of office, a plea deal in a state securities fraud case, a now-dropped FBI probe and at least two allegations of affairs. His wife, a Texas state senator, is now divorcing him on “Biblical grounds.”
During the Fox interview, Rove also said he doesn’t expect President Donald Trump to throw his endorsement behind Paxton, no matter how hard the MAGA-adherent AG tries to suck up.
“I think the president’s going to sit and watch,” Rove said. “He understands that it would be problematic if he were to endorse against a sitting Republican senator, particularly one as respected as John Cornyn.”
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