Leak Embarrasses Republicans: Texas Candidate Admits War and Fuel Prices Hurt Party

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican candidate in a competitive race for a Senate seat, acknowledged that President Donald Trump's war against Iran and rising gasoline and diesel prices represent a burden on his party as midterm elections approach.

Paxton's remarks came in a leaked audio recording from a closed fundraising event, in response to a question about issues hindering his campaign. He said the problem is not related to tariffs, but rather to the war and gasoline and diesel prices.

Paxton added that when diesel prices exceed $6 per gallon, people feel distressed, admitting that affordability is the biggest issue facing Republicans with next month's elections approaching.

Paxton cited polling numbers indicating Democratic leads in several competitive races, including the one he himself is contesting in Texas.

These statements come at a time when Trump is trying to change the prevailing narrative on affordability, asserting that his administration has made greater efforts than Democrats to lower daily prices for Americans.

Trump, who chose Paxton as the Republican nominee for the Texas Senate election, is scheduled to join the candidate at a rally in San Antonio on Wednesday evening.

In closed events, Paxton acknowledged the difficulty of the battle Republicans are fighting, saying that many factors in the federal race cannot be controlled.

He added: "I do not make decisions, and I do not know what lies behind some decisions."

The Guardian requested comment from Paxton's campaign regarding the recording. Madison Cercei, the campaign spokesperson, responded by stating that the Texas Attorney General's comments were not worth mentioning.

Cercei said Paxton pointed out what Texans already know, which is that gasoline and diesel prices are extremely high, and that residents suffer at gas stations and grocery stores.

She added that Trump is doing his best to lower prices, and that Paxton will go to Washington to help him by putting money back into families' pockets through increased child tax credits, larger healthcare deductions, and home buying incentives.

She said Texans need immediate relief, adding that everyone knows James Tallarico will raise taxes.

Recent polls conducted by the Associated Press/NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicate that most adults hold Trump responsible for deteriorating economic conditions.

About 74% of Americans said the economy is suffering from a recession, while 65% of participants said they directly blame Trump's policies for rising costs.

In the recording obtained by Axios, Paxton said he is trying to help lower costs in ways he can, including his proposed plan to cut taxes, which includes exemptions related to healthcare and housing.

This latest recording is part of a series of leaked audio clips in which Paxton criticizes his party.

Earlier this week, Politico reported that Paxton secretly admitted during a closed event that external forces in Washington D.C. control a large part of the messages his campaign relies on.

In an audio recording obtained by the newspaper, Paxton said he had never been in a race where he felt so little control over the campaign and important issues because everything comes from Washington D.C.

The New York Times reported last week that Paxton admitted that Trump's Republican midterm convention led to a drop in his polling numbers.

Paxton is engaged in a fierce competition with progressive Democrat James Tallarico, while polls indicate a very close race between the candidates, with Tallarico holding a slight lead over the Texas Attorney General.