But Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico began making closing arguments Saturday in a tossup U.S. Senate race that has become a key measure of voters' frustration with Trump's leadership and his loyalists in the Republican Party.
Talarico hammered Paxton, the longtime state attorney general who has weathered indictment and impeachment and garnered Trump's endorsement, as an especially corrupt example rotten political system.
“This election is about whether you want a senator who puts money in your pocket or who puts money in his own,” Talarico said in Houston.
Paxton, who defeated Republican Sen. John Cornyn in this year's GOP primary with Trump’s help, answered in Fort Worth by painting Talarico, a state lawmaker, seminarian and former teacher, as too liberal for Texas. And each painted the other as front men for dangerous figures.
“The left in this country keeps getting more and more radical,” Paxton said, arguing Talarico would be lackey for Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, the New Yorker who would set the chamber's agenda if Democrats win a majority.
For Talarico, the shadow opponent is Elon Musk, the world's richest man, who has spent more than $150 million of his own money to help Paxton keep pace with Talarico's fundraising.
“It’s David vs. Goliath,” said Talarico, invoking the biblical story of the shepherd who slays a giant. “The people of Texas are my slingshot.”
The closing sprint in Texas comes as early voting nears its conclusion in several states. Early balloting totals were approaching 50 million heading into the weekend. About 112 million voted in total in the 2022 midterm elections.
Trump talking to voters via phone
The president was stepping away from in-person rallies Saturday in favor of virtual events. He was scheduled to call into six tele-rallies after spending the morning and early afternoon at the golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Trump’s MAGA Inc., super PAC said that telerallies were lined up for races in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Michigan and two separate calls for Florida. The White House released few details on what to expect, but the president generally participates in such calls — a departure from his rally speeches, which often stretch for 90-plus minutes.
“Answer your phones, and ENJOY!” Trump posted Saturday on his social media site.
Trump has spent the closing weeks of October traveling across the country, including in states he won comfortably in each of his three campaigns. On Sunday, he is set to hold rallies in Iowa and Kansas that were scheduled, pulled down and then rescheduled.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who would become speaker if Democrats win a House majority, was in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District campaigning with former Rep. Elaine Luria, who is in a rematch with Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans. Luria lost her seat to Kiggans four years ago.
“We're going to fight hard each and every day for an affordable America,” Jeffries said.
