Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in Texas, says in newly leaked audio that the war in Iran and high consumer prices are weighing on his midterm campaign. In the recording, Paxton tells donors and lobbyists that affordability pressures—specifically energy costs such as diesel and gasoline—are among the biggest factors hurting his standing.
Multiple outlets report this is at least the third major audio leak involving Paxton in recent weeks. Other reports describe him as framing the issues as partly driven by federal decisions he does not control, including Washington’s role in the Iran conflict, and pointing to how “pinch” conditions affect voters’ sentiment. Some outlets also link the comments to broader tensions in Paxton’s campaign narrative around President Donald Trump and national GOP efforts, suggesting Paxton repeatedly contrasts his own limited influence with external forces affecting his race.
The differing coverage focuses on the novelty and frequency of the leaks and the emphasis on Iran-war-related impacts versus domestic prices. All accounts characterize the comments as damage-control efforts at private donor gatherings.
