Republican strategist Karl Rove warned that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will likely lose his Senate bid if he refuses to debate Democratic challenger state Rep. James Talarico.
“If he doesn’t debate, I think he loses,” Rove said during a Wednesday appearance at The Economic Club of Chicago, according to The Hill.
The comment came amid growing attention on the Texas Senate contest, where Paxton faces questions over his legal troubles and Talarico seeks to capitalize on those vulnerabilities. Rove, a veteran GOP operative, emphasized the political risk of avoiding a head-to-head forum with a credible opponent.
Paxton, a Republican, has been the focus of scrutiny related to his office and personal conduct; Talarico, a state representative and Democrat, has sought to make the race a referendum on Paxton’s record. Rove’s prediction adds pressure on the incumbent to accept a public debate to counter his challenger’s message.
No further details about when or where a debate might occur were included in Rove’s remarks.
Source: thehill.com
