Senate GOP Opens Wallet For Paxton’s Campaign
The Senate Republican leadership is pouring tens of millions of dollars into the U.S. Senate campaign of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is locked in a tight race with Democratic nominee James Talarico.
A super PAC affiliated with Senate Majority Leader John Thune last week purchased about $32 million in television broadcast ads across the state’s major media markets, The Texas Tribune reported. In addition, MAGA Inc., a PAC aligned with President Donald Trump, bought $10 million in ads.
Paxton is trailing slightly in the most recent polls. To date, he has been vastly outspent by Talarico and his allies.
Paxton spoke at the Republican midterm convention held last week in Dallas, according to the Texas Standard. He unveiled his economic plan, titled Protecting the Texas Promise.
“Everywhere I go, I meet Texans working harder than ever that still worry that they’ll never get ahead,” Paxton said. “Those are the people that I’m fighting for.”
Meanwhile, Talarico was slated to appear on late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s network show, but the interview was pulled under concerns that the Federal Communications Commission would take punitive action.
The interview was aired on YouTube instead. Several news outlets reported it received 5 million views in its first 24 hours.
Wildfire Risk Remains High As Hunting Season Begins
The Ross Fire in North Texas has become the largest summer wildfire recorded in Texas, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. As of Sunday, it had consumed 90,400 acres and was 83% contained.
Active wildfires were reported in five other locations in the Hill Country, northwest of Austin and San Antonio. With hunting season now underway, officials are urging hunters to be mindful of activities that could spark a wildfire. In August, the forest service responded to 313 wildfires. “The rapid onset of a flash drought increased fire occurrence and intensity statewide in August,” said Walter Flocke, Texas A&M Forest Service fire analyst. “Under flash drought conditions, grasses, brush and timber fuels lose moisture rapidly and become susceptible to ignition.”
A flash drought appears and worsens quickly, often over a few days or weeks.
Equipment used by hunters, such as vehicles, trailers, and ATVs/UTVs, is the second-most common cause of human-caused wildfires in Texas, behind debris burning.
“Even a small spark can quickly ignite a wildfire under the right conditions,” said Jared Karns, Texas A&M Forest Service fire chief. “Texans are encouraged to stay alert and be aware of hazards that can cause a wildfire while hunting this season.”