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Coverage dated October 5, 2026

Ken Paxton Says DC Controls His Texas Senate Campaign in Leaked Audio

Headline from Newsweek, on the newest of 2 developments

Leaked audio captures Ken Paxton saying Washington controls key campaign decisions as he fights to close a polling gap.

Newsweek's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

Developments in this update

2 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

  1. Texas AG Ken Paxton vents frustration at DC sway over Senate bid: ‘I don’t control message’

    Headline from New York Post ·

  2. Newest

    Ken Paxton Says DC Controls His Texas Senate Campaign in Leaked Audio

    Headline from Newsweek ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

9 articles, oldest first.

  1. Politico

    Campaign ‘all coming from DC,’ Paxton says (opens Politico)

    Published

    Politico's feed description

    “I don’t control message or what we’re doing,” Texas GOP Senate candidate Ken Paxton said during a small fundraising event in September.

  2. The New Republic

    Ken Paxton Admits Team Trump Controls His Campaign in Leaked Audio (opens The New Republic)

    Published

    The New Republic's feed description

    In a leaked audio recording, Texas Attorney General and Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton lamented that he isn’t in control of his own campaign. At a fundraiser in September, Paxton spoke candidly about his flailing campaign, according to the recording shared with Politico and published Monday.

  3. NOTUS

    Ken Paxton Blames D.C. for His Campaign Messaging in a Leaked Recording (opens NOTUS)

    Published

    NOTUS's feed description

    “I’ve never been in a race where I felt less control over the campaign,” he said, according to audio obtained by Politico.

  4. New York Post

    Texas AG Ken Paxton vents frustration at DC sway over Senate bid: ‘I don’t control message’ (opens New York Post)

    Published

    New York Post's feed description

    “I’ve never been in a race where I felt less control over the campaign and, like, what issues are going to matter because it’s all coming — you know — from DC.''

  5. Rolling Stone

    Ken Paxton Makes Excuses for Floundering Campaign in New Leaked Audio (opens Rolling Stone)

    Published

    Rolling Stone's feed description

    The Republican Senate candidate complained that he doesn't "have the ability to change anything," within his campaign

  6. Forbes

    New Ken Paxton Leaked Audio Says Washington Runs His Campaign: ‘I Don’t Control Messaging’ (opens Forbes)

    Published

    Forbes's feed description

    Paxton was caught on tape in audio leaked last week saying the GOP’s midterm campaign has hurt his poll numbers.

  7. The Guardian

    Republican Ken Paxton admits forces in DC control his Texas Senate campaign (opens The Guardian)

    Published

    The Guardian's feed description

    ‘I don’t control message or what we’re doing,’ scandal- hit state attorney general reportedly says at private event Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general chosen by Donald Trump to run as the Republican candidate for a Senate seat, admitted in private that his campaign was being controlled by outsid…

  8. Newsweek

    Ken Paxton Says DC Controls His Texas Senate Campaign in Leaked Audio (opens Newsweek)

    Published

    Newsweek's feed description

    Leaked audio captures Ken Paxton saying Washington controls key campaign decisions as he fights to close a polling gap.

  9. Fox News

    Paxton vents over lack of campaign control as DC establishment he once battled comes to his aid (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says he feels less control over his campaign than ever as he battles James Talarico in a toss-up Senate race.