The Republican handpicked by President Donald Trump to capture Texas’ fiercely contested Senate seat was expected to deliver his closing argument to voters Wednesday night at the Alamo, the historic symbol of Texas independence.
Instead, Ken Paxton will make his final appeal before a crowd of only a few dozen at Matt’s Rancho Martinez, a low-key Tex-Mex restaurant in Allen, a Dallas suburb located in Paxton’s home county.
The last-minute venue change underscores a campaign marked by missteps and muted enthusiasm. The race between Paxton and Democrat James Talarico remains extraordinarily close, with a Republican defeat potentially ending the party’s 40-year hold on the seat.
Our News Outlet visited Matt’s Rancho Martinez on Monday afternoon. The family-owned restaurant, which promotes itself as “Tex-Mex Heaven,” had arranged several rows of wicker chairs facing a small stage.
Since late last week, Paxton, Texas’ attorney general, has called off multiple stops on his get-out-the-vote bus tour, titled “Come and Take It.” Planned appearances in El Paso, Texarkana and Tyler were canceled, along with what his campaign had presented as a dramatic finale at the Alamo in San Antonio.
The campaign had promoted the Alamo event as its pièce de résistance, drawing a comparison between the Texans’ famous 1836 last stand against the Mexican army and Paxton’s slogan: “When they come after Texans, Ken Paxton goes after them.”
But the proposed Alamo appearance was reportedly the product of an overeager staffer rather than a confirmed event, according to a Paxton insider who spoke to Our News Outlet.
“Apparently they never had confirmation that they were allowed,” the source said.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is locked in a tight Senate race with James Talarico
Paxton’s final appeal to voters will take place before a few dozen people at Matt’s Rancho Martinez in suburban Dallas
Colorful Mexican papel picado decorates the ceiling of the restaurant where Paxton will make his closing pitch
The family-run restaurant describes itself as “Tex-Mex Heaven”
“It was something with permits. Basically, one of the guys on their team really fetishized the idea of, ‘We’re gonna finish this strong at the Alamo.’”
The Alamo Trust, which oversees the historic site, told a local news outlet that it had never scheduled an event there.
The confusion surrounding the Alamo plans reflects the broader problems within Paxton’s campaign, the source said, describing the operation as one run by Washington outsiders brought to Texas to assemble a campaign for one of the country’s most scandal-plagued politicians.
The Republican insider also said Paxton himself bears responsibility for the campaign’s troubles.
“He’s not exciting. He’s not a particularly good campaigner.”
Paxton’s campaign has been hit by a series of setbacks, including two leaked recordings in which the attorney general was heard criticizing Donald Trump and voicing frustration over Washington figures taking control of his campaign.
The Republican nominee was already carrying significant political baggage before the Senate contest began.
Our News Outlet reported last year that Paxton had an affair with Christian influencer Tracy Duhon, prompting his wife to file for divorce on “Biblical grounds.”
We also reported that Paxton later moved into a $2 million mansion with Duhon and spent the summer taking luxury trips with her to Iceland and London rather than campaigning.
Texas lawmakers impeached Paxton in 2023 over allegations including bribery and abuse of office, but the state Senate acquitted him.
Separately, a long-running felony securities fraud case ended in 2024 through an agreement that required Paxton to perform community service, complete legal ethics courses and pay restitution to investors. He denied wrongdoing in both matters.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton arrives at a campaign event at Cullen Yards on October 31, 2026, in Fort Worth
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and Texas state Rep. James Talarico speaks during a Día de los Muertos concert rally at The Espee on November 1, 2026, in San Antonio
Tracy Duhon, right, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, left, pose for a photo at the Kentucky Derby in May 2024, with her then-husband Troy Duhon between them
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his wife Angela married in 1986 after meeting at Baylor University in Waco
Many members of Paxton’s staff have little personal loyalty to him and are said to have joined the campaign either “for the paycheck” or to help keep Texas’ Senate seat in Republican hands, according to the source.
By contrast, Paxton’s Democratic opponent has built a team of young, committed supporters, many of whom previously worked with him in the state legislature.
Talarico, a former teacher turned politician, has resisted efforts to bring the national Democratic Party into the race. Instead, he has surrounded himself with younger, less experienced aides whom he trusts, according to an Austin lobbyist close to the campaign who spoke to Our News Outlet.
A November 1 poll by the New York Times/Siena College found Talarico leading Paxton by 50 percent to 43 percent.
As election night approaches, Paxton’s most dedicated aides describe the contest as “a coin flip,” a second insider told Our News Outlet.
Less committed staffers, however, have joked that the race could become “Paxton’s funeral,” the source said.
Some Texas conservatives believe the outcome is already pointing in one direction.
Over the past two weeks, Paxton held a fundraiser in San Antonio, where organizers were reportedly concerned about attendance. A Republican operative who spoke anonymously said Team Paxton contacted him and asked him to help rally supporters.
Bush-era Republicans nevertheless declined both to contribute financially and to attend.
“They raised concerns about Paxton because they see the writing on the wall. They think he’s going to lose,” the operative told Our News Outlet.
“They said things like, ‘I’m not trying to get on that train’ or ‘I don’t want to be associated.’”
Many of those Reagan-era Republicans had backed Sen. John Cornyn, whom Paxton defeated in the May primary after receiving Trump’s endorsement.
“Ken’s problems make a lot of people who have integrity uncomfortable,” another longtime Texas conservative said.
“He’s running a horrifically bad campaign. The blow-by-blow of this is going to be Biblical.”
Paxton’s campaign did not respond to Our News Outlet’s request for comment.
