Ken Paxton isn’t exactly in the American spirit as the Fourth of July approaches.
Texas’ Republican nominee for Senate was caught on video boarding a plane from Dulles International Airport in Washington D.C. on Sunday, where he subsequently boarded a flight to Iceland. Paxton appeared to take his international trip with Tracy Duhon, a Christian author and influencer who is reportedly romantically linked with Paxton as he continues divorce proceedings from his wife, Amy Paxton.
Paxton didn’t respond to The Daily Mail’s request for comment following the release of Sunday’s video.
Texas Democrats were more than happy to comment on the matter, however, ripping Paxton in a statement released Monday.
“At a time when many Texans can barely afford to pay the rent or fill up the tank because of policies Ken Paxton supports, he’s jetting off to Iceland ahead of America’s 250th birthday for a fancy vacation with his mistress,” Texas Democratic Party Spokesperson Ryan Martin said. “Once again, corrupt Ken Paxton is putting himself first and America last. Paxton shouldn’t worry too much, though – he’ll have all the time in the world for luxury getaways with his mistress after he loses in November.”
James Talarico, Paxton’s opponent in the Senate race, offered similar comments late Monday night.
“Ken Paxton was impeached for taking bribes from donors. He became a multi-millionaire on a government salary,” Talarico wrote on X. “He takes lavish vacations in Iceland while Texans can’t afford the basics. Ken Paxton doesn’t serve us-he serves himself.”
Perhaps Paxton’s latest gaffe won’t cost him votes in Texas’ Senate race, an election that is still more than four months from being decided. But flying to Iceland for July 4-especially during America’s semiquincentennial-won’t exactly score him political points on either side of the aisle.
Texas Republicans have a stronghold on the Senate, winning every Senate election in the state since 1992. But perhaps the tide will finally turn this November. A New York Times poll released Tuesday showed Paxton and Talarico in a dead heat in the Senate race, with both currently polling at 47 percent.
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This article originally published at Texas Democrats blast Ken Paxton for Iceland trip during USA anniversary.