Karl Rove says Ken Paxton's Senate loss dragged down Texas Republicans

Republican strategist Karl Rove said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's Senate loss to Democrat James Talarico dragged down the entire Republican ticket in the state's Tuesday election. Rove noted it was the first time since 1998 Republicans lost statewide constitutional offices. Democrats swept every statewide office in Texas, including Gina Hinojosa defeating three-term Governor Greg Abbott and Vikki Goodwin unseating Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. Paxton's campaign was hampered by impeachment proceedings related to corruption charges, for which he was later acquitted. Nationally, Democrats secured control of both the House and Senate, with projections of 262 House seats and 55 Senate seats. Republicans faced headwinds from President Trump's declining approval ratings, cost of living concerns, and the unpopular war in Iran.