During a weekend political roundup show, veteran GOP strategist Susan Del Percio accused Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton of turning off Texas voters on both sides of the aisle.
“He is just so fundamentally flawed, and he represents everything people are frustrated with [about politics], including Republicans,” Del Percio said on progressive news channel MS NOW’s The Weekend.
Paxton, who currently serves as Texas attorney general, came into the race facing accusations of corruption and marital infidelity, and he also narrowly survived an impeachment attempt by members of his own party.
Those scandals have continued to dog Paxton as his rival, Democratic state Rep. James Talarico, pulls ahead of him in both fundraising and polls. RealClearPolitics’ latest polling average shows Talarico leading Paxton, 48%-46.8%.
Some political observers question whether the race could give Democrats their first statewide win in Texas since 1994.
However, Del Percio said she doubts Talarico can win over large swaths of GOP voters. His path to victory would come through energizing Democrats and others turned off by the current political climate while hoping disillusioned Republicans stay away from the polls, she added.
“He’s going to have to do what we saw Donald Trump do, frankly — especially in 2016 — and find those voters who want to come out because they’re just frustrated and want to be angry at somebody,” Del Percio said.
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