Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared the Texas Senate race suddenly competitive for Democrats on Sunday, pivoting to capitalize on Republican Ken Paxton's contentious primary victory over incumbent John Cornyn. Paxton's win, despite his impeachment on corruption and bribery charges, has created an unexpected vulnerability, Beshear argued in an appearance on NBC News.
"Texas is in play," Beshear said. "Democrats have never run against a candidate like Ken Paxton that is so corrupt that his own party impeached him." He characterized the state's attorney general as lacking the character to hold office, let alone serve as a local official.
Paxton faced impeachment in 2023 by the GOP-controlled Texas House on allegations of bribery and corruption, though the Republican-led state Senate acquitted him. The trial also surfaced accusations that he engaged in an extramarital affair while serving as attorney general. His wife, a state senator, filed for divorce citing "biblical grounds" and "recent discoveries." Paxton denied all wrongdoing, framing the charges as politically motivated attacks.
The Democrat sees Paxton as damaged goods heading into the general election. Beshear warned that if elected to the Senate, Paxton would exploit his position for personal gain, serve as a rubber stamp for the White House, and neglect Texas voters. "He has shown that as AG," Beshear added.
Beshear threw his support behind Democrat James Talarico, who won the party's primary. He praised Talarico as focused on kitchen-table issues: lowering costs, expanding healthcare access, and making communities safer. The contrast, he suggested, was stark against Paxton's record of attacking his opponent rather than offering vision.
"Paxton knows he has nothing to offer," Beshear said. "So what does he do? He simply attacks his opponent over and over."
The governor's optimism about Texas clashes with broader Republican confidence. During the same program, former Vice President Mike Pence declined to endorse Paxton directly but declared he could never vote for the Democratic nominee. Pence expressed confidence that Republicans would retain Senate control after November, asserting that while "Republicans have lost our way," Democrats "have lost their mind."
Beyond the Texas race, Beshear addressed other political developments. When asked about comments by former first lady Jill Biden regarding Joe Biden's debate struggles two years ago, the governor acknowledged a reckoning was overdue. "It's fair to look back now, given that Joe Biden did drop out, and say he shouldn't have run for re-election in the first place," he said. He balanced praise for Biden's accomplishments with clarity that the original campaign decision was wrong.
Asked whether he might pursue the presidency in 2028, Beshear left the door open. "I haven't ruled it out," he said, though he noted he has not yet discussed the possibility with his family. His current focus remains mobilizing Democrats heading into the November elections.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Beshear's bullish take on Texas is worth watching, but Paxton's primary win from a three-way GOP field tells you something important about Republican voters' appetite for scandal."
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