I have no idea if James Talarico’s campaign will really use any of Karl Rove’s comments about fellow Republican Ken Paxton. But Rove surely meant to draw proverbial blood when he stuck a very public knife into Paxton, then twisted it a few times for good measure.
Rove all but leaped at the opportunity to attack Senate candidate Paxton during an appearance at the 2026 Texas Tribune Festival. Rove also took a swipe at Donald Trump for pushing Paxton over the primary finish line.
It started after interviewer and CNN reporter Patrick Svitek asked Rove if the $100 million spending by the Senate Leadership Fund to help Paxton beat Talarico is a “good use of money?”
“No,” Rove said, “But they’re going to have to do it, and that’s just the start.”
That was just Rove’s start, too. He noted that the $100 million was only enough to get through September. He added pointedly, “If John Cornyn were the nominee, this race would be over.”
Rove next launched into a recitation of Paxton’s many, many scandals:
“You know, when you got a guy who's got multiple girlfriends and $200,000 worth of improvements in his house from a corrupt business guy for whom he does favors, I mean, my personal favorite is the Uber account in the name of David P. Since [Paxton] drives around in a car that has SO4 license plates, it made it a little difficult to have assignations with one of his mistresses.
So, the corrupt business guy gives him the fake Uber account, and the records of that are now in his impeachment proceedings. So, we know how often he went to have sex with Laura Olson. I mean, where can you can you make this shit up? I mean, really.”
Svitek, whom Rove would surely have attacked as a member of the untrustworthy liberal media in another era, was the one who pointed out that those allegations were made during Paxton’s 2023 impeachment but that “he was ultimately acquitted by the Republican – “
Rove eagerly interrupted. “He was acquitted in the Republican Senate, found guilty in the Republican House, and now it's in the court of public opinion, and that's why this is a race,” Rove said.
“If it were not out there, if this were the normal Republican versus Democrat, this would not be a race, but it is a race,” Rove continued. He went on to say that both Sen. “Theodore” Cruz and candidate Paxton had sent him “several emails” saying that Paxton is losing and needs help. “I mean, you know, even the Republicans are admitting that they’re behind.”
Svitek asked if there was anything Cornyn could have done differently to win the nomination.
“No,” Rove replied. He laid all the blame on Donald Trump for meddling in the race on Paxton’s behalf when Cornyn was “on his way to win” the primary.
I don’t feel one bit sorry for Rove or any other Republican who has backed Donald Trump. As awful as Paxton is, Donald Trump is far worse and in a far more important position in this country.
Sorry, Repubs, you made your bed with Trump. I can’t wait to see you lie in it with James Talarico.
