Leaked Audio Reveals Paxton’s Private Frustration with Cornyn and Campaign Control

Key points

• Paxton told a September 24 fundraiser that Cornyn is not helping his campaign and 'wants me to lose,' according to audio obtained by CNN.
• Paxton claimed a friend’s attempt to thank Cornyn for supporting the ticket was met with anger, with Cornyn allegedly stating Paxton would lose to teach Republicans a lesson.
• Cornyn’s representative denied the restaurant encounter occurred, stating Cornyn supports the Republican ticket but has not actively campaigned for Paxton.
• Paxton admitted in separate leaked audio that he has little control over his campaign messaging, which is being managed by Washington-based outside groups.
• Paxton blamed high gas prices and the Iran war for hurting his polling, stating he has 'no control over gas prices' and that affordability is his biggest problem.
• A Fox News poll found nearly a third of Republican likely voters have an unfavorable opinion of Paxton, with some 'non-MAGA' Republicans breaking for Democrat James Talarico.

Background

This story follows a series of leaked audio recordings from a September 24 fundraiser in Washington, D.C., hosted by lobbyists Chris Brinson and Susan Hirschmann. Previous leaks revealed Paxton criticizing Trump’s Dallas convention and expressing frustration over his lack of control over campaign messaging. The current leak adds to a pattern of private complaints that have put Paxton’s campaign on the defensive in the final weeks of the race. The tensions between Paxton and Cornyn stem from years of bad blood, including Cornyn’s criticism of Paxton’s conduct as attorney general and Paxton’s subsequent 2026 campaign to unseat Cornyn. Despite Trump’s endorsement of Paxton in the primary runoff, Cornyn has refused to actively support Paxton, leading to intra-party friction.

How outlets are covering it

CNN focused on the personal animosity between Paxton and Cornyn, highlighting Paxton’s private accusations that Cornyn is actively working against him. Politico emphasized Paxton’s admission that his campaign is being run by Washington-based outside groups, suggesting a loss of local control. Axios highlighted Paxton’s private blame of the Iran war and high gas prices for his polling struggles, framing it as a candid admission of the challenging environment for Republicans. Common Dreams focused on a different leaked audio from the same event, where Paxton discussed cutting mandatory spending like Social Security, which he later denied. The outlets differ in their emphasis: CNN on the Cornyn-Paxton feud, Politico on campaign control, Axios on economic factors, and Common Dreams on fiscal policy. All agree that the leaks have put Paxton’s campaign on the defensive in a tight race.

Why it matters

The Texas Senate race is critical for Republicans to maintain their majority in the U.S. Senate. The leaked audio reveals deep-seated tensions within the Republican Party, particularly between Paxton and Cornyn, which could impact voter turnout and support among Republican base. Paxton’s admission of losing control over his campaign and blaming external factors for his polling struggles suggests a lack of confidence in his ability to win the race. The race is also being influenced by national issues like gas prices and the Iran war, which are beyond Paxton’s control but are affecting his popularity among voters. The outcome of this race could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate and the broader political landscape in the United States.

What to watch

The Texas Senate race will be decided in the November 2026 general election. Paxton’s campaign will likely continue to address the leaked audio and its implications, while Cornyn’s supporters may continue to withhold support. National Republicans will likely continue to pour resources into the race to prevent a Democratic victory. The outcome of the race will depend on voter turnout, particularly among Republican base, and the impact of national issues like gas prices and the Iran war on voter sentiment. Paxton’s ability to regain control of his campaign messaging and address the concerns of his base will be crucial in the final weeks of the race.