‘I blame the president’: Stunned Paxton voters fume at historic fumble

DALLAS — Barely two hours after the last polls closed, the giant screen broadcasting the nation’s election results went black at Ken Paxton’s watch party in a hotel conference center.It was a fitting metaphor to describe Republicans’ night in Texas and beyond. Paxton attendees were shocked at the blue tsunami that engulfed the country. And this time, even the GOP seawall of Texas couldn’t withstand its wake.“I blame the president for that 100%,” said Michael Little, a finance director. “We have farmers, ranchers, small-business owners that can’t pay the bills. And if you don’t explain that to people, you’re going to have tonight. Tonight was a rude awakening for all Republicans.”The frustration was palpable among those in the room, who at times throughout the evening were nearly outnumbered by the ensemble of reporters, photographers, and cameramen amassed toward the rear to cover the results of the most expensive Senate race in U.S. history. Attendees at an election night event before Republican Senate candidate Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton arrives Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in Dallas. (Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner) Attendees pray at an election night event before Republican Senate candidate Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton arrives Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in Dallas. (Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner) Attendees at an election night event before Republican Senate candidate Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton arrives Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in Dallas. (Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner) Attendees at an election night event before Republican Senate candidate Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton arrives Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in Dallas. (Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner) Several were eager to lay blame on President Donald Trump. Others lumped additional Republican leaders into the mix, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). Others yet described Democrats retaking both chambers as part of a natural cycle of backlash for the incumbent party.No matter the reason, Paxton’s voters agreed that the GOP needs new leadership — and it’s not Vice President JD Vance, who’s believed to be gearing up for a 2028 presidential run.“In 2028, I want to say this to the Republican Party: Move on from Trump and Vance,” said Steve Meng, a 35-year-old grocery store clerk. “[Republicans] got a swift kick in the butt.”“We just need to get out and regroup for 2028,” said Michael Carr, naming Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) as “the answer. He can lead the Republican Party and save us,” he continued. “We’ll win the White House again. We can win the House again in ’28, if he’s the nominee.”Little, the finance director, cited Secretary of State Marco Rubio as “the only candidate that we have that has a shot — small shot.”Michael Little, a finance director, is interviewed by media at the election watch party for Republican Senate candidate Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. (Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner) “He is going to be the leader of the future Republican Party. And if we don’t do that, in two years it’s going to look even worse,” Little added.Meanwhile, Trumpworld searched frantically for scapegoats to deflect blame that the electoral bloodbath was a rebuke of the president and his agenda. So far, they’d failed to find consensus.Trump’s tariffs that raised the cost of goods, the Iran war that skyrocketed fuel prices, and even the aggressive immigration enforcement agenda were cited by Paxton voters as self-inflicted wounds contributing to the downfall of the nominee and countless other Republicans. By the end of the night, at least six more Senate races — North Carolina, South Carolina, Maine, Ohio, Iowa, and Kansas — had been snatched from the GOP’s grasp, securing a four-seat majority for Democrats that could grow to as much as six from outstanding contests. Like Texas, a Democrat had not won a Senate contest in deep-red South Carolina in decades. For Kansas, the last time was 1932.“[Trump] will blame the individuals and say they didn’t run a great race,” predicted Little. “But it all comes back on him. How do we lose South Carolina? How do we barely win Florida? How do we lose Texas?” Republican Senate candidate Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton arrives Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in Dallas. (Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner) Republican Senate candidate Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton arrives Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in Dallas. (Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner) Clark Brown, a retiree, urged Republicans to accept the Texas loss with grace. In a departure from others in attendance, he questioned the claims used by Paxton and his surrogates to rally the GOP’s base that Talarico presents a threat to Texas values.“I think the lesson is, it’s the will of the people. No matter who it is, you may not like them,” Brown said. “We have to give him a chance and not try to sabotage or sandbag him.”DEMOCRAT JAMES TALARICO TRIUMPHS OVER GOP’S KEN PAXTON IN STUNNING TEXAS SENATE UPSETAs for Paxton’s outlook, his 12-year stint as Texas attorney general will come to a close on Jan. 1, 2027. He used a brief concession speech to congratulate Talarico and offered a closing line that could hint at future opportunities for public office.“I love Texas. I’ll always love Texas. We will still fight for this place. We will fight for our country,” Paxton said. “We’ve had a difficult night tonight across the country, but it’s not over.”