Trump trucks to Texas to tout pain in the a Ken Paxton, economic wins

President Trump pumped up Ken Paxton’s Senate bid in Texas on Thursday as he kicked off a red state tour to rally his MAGA base for Republican candidates ahead of November’s election. Describing his chosen Senate candidate as a “pain in the a–,” Trump, nevertheless, pushed for his loyal supporters to vote for Paxton, who’s facing a tough challenge from Democrat James Talarico.“We need Ken so badly, that’s why I am here,” he said bluntly.Texas is a critical state for Republicans to hold if they want to keep control of the Senate. The Texas stop is one of many the president is making in red states that gave him big numbers in the last presidential election — and where many GOP contenders are struggling to replicate Trump’s victory.Trump touted his trade and economic agenda during a visit to Peterbilt Motors, where the White House says Trump-era truck tariffs helped spur job growth.

From his Dallas stop, he headed to Oklahoma to boost Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei.Next week he’ll be in upstate New York to campaign for GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman.

The president’s also mulling a mid-October trip to Alaska to help out embattled Sen.Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska).Trump told reporters that Republicans needed to do better in touting their accomplishments if they wanted to win in the midterm election.“Somebody saying we’ve done a bad public relations job, but a great management job,” he said.

“We have to get the message to get the best numbers of any president.”In Texas, which Trump carried by almost 15 points in the 2024 contest, the president tried to transfer some of his popularity to Paxton, who is trailing Talarico in the polls and facing questions about a legal investigation.He endorsed Paxton over incumbent GOP Sen.

John Cornyn in the Republican primary, which ensured Paxton the nomination.Trump described the state attorney general as “one of the most loyal people.”“Ken Paxton was at my side more ...