Karl Rove denounces GOP 'Nazi' takeover as Paxton concedes Texas Senate losses

Key points

• Rove stated that Ted Cruz and Ken Paxton admitted to him that they are losing the U.S. Senate race against Democrat James Talarico.
• The former Bush aide argued that Paxton's campaign is hampered by his personal scandals, including a bribery case and a messy divorce, which he called 'unmakeable' in a normal race.
• Rove pledged to vote for Democrat Jon Rosenthal for Texas Railroad Commissioner, breaking a 30-year pattern of voting exclusively for Republicans.
• He labeled Republican candidate Bo French a 'bigot' for posting racist comments about South Asian students at the University of Texas, calling the party's inclusion of such figures a long-term liability.
• Rove suggested that if John Cornyn were the Republican nominee, the Senate race would already be decided, implying Paxton is the weak link.

Background

Rove's comments follow his earlier decision to back Democrat Jon Rosenthal in the Railroad Commission race, a move that drew criticism from Donald Trump. This shift occurs amid broader scrutiny of Republican candidates' online conduct, including recent firings in Ohio over Nazi imagery. The 2026 midterms are approaching, with early voting scheduled for October 19-30 and Election Day on November 3.

How outlets are covering it

The San Antonio Current and The Texas Tribune both report on Rove's comments at the Texas Tribune Festival, agreeing on his criticism of Paxton's scandals and his support for Rosenthal. The Texas Tribune provides additional detail on Rove's specific quotes regarding French's social media post and his teaching role at UT. Yahoo News New Zealand's source appears to be a technical error page and contains no relevant news content, so it is excluded from the synthesis. Both primary sources highlight the internal Republican conflict over cultural issues versus electoral viability.

Why it matters

Rove's public break with the party line signals a potential fracture within the Republican base ahead of the 2026 midterms. His endorsement of a Democrat for a key energy regulator seat could influence conservative voters in Texas, a state where the Railroad Commission oversees billions in oil and gas revenue. The admission by top Republicans that they are losing the Senate race suggests a significant shift in the political landscape.

What to watch

Voters in Texas have until October 5 to update their registration. Early voting begins on October 19. The Senate race between Paxton and Talarico will be a key indicator of national Republican performance in the 2026 midterms.