Paxton admits Trump’s Iran war and US gas prices are plaguing Republicans in leaked audio

What happened: In leaked audio obtained by Axios, Texas attorney general Ken Paxton said the Iran war and gas and diesel prices are dragging his Republican Senate campaign before next month's election. Key numbers: Diesel over $6 per gallon. 74% of Americans said the economy was leaning poorly. 65% blamed Trump's policies for higher costs. Why it matters: Paxton called affordability Republicans' biggest problem and cited polling showing Democrats ahead in many competitive races, including his own neck-and-neck race with Democrat James Talarico.

In leaked audio obtained by Axios, Texas attorney general Ken Paxton said the Iran war and gas and diesel prices are dragging his Republican Senate campaign before next month's election.

Paxton called affordability Republicans' biggest problem and cited polling showing Democrats ahead in many competitive races, including his own neck-and-neck race with Democrat James Talarico.