Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has expressed significant frustration over the direction and control of his U.S. Senate campaign, according to recently leaked audio. In a recording from a fundraiser held last month, Paxton voiced displeasure with the influence that outside operatives and Republican Party officials in Washington, D.C., appear to have on his campaign’s messaging and strategy.

“I’ve never been in a race where I felt less control over the campaign and, like, what issues are going to matter because it’s all coming — you know — from DC,” Paxton said, adding that he does not control the campaign’s message or overall approach. The recording was released publicly on Monday by a political news outlet.

When questioned about the comments, Paxton’s campaign clarified that the attorney general was referring to the impact of super PACs on the race. “Campaigns don’t coordinate with super PACs, and that’s obviously what AG Paxton was referring to,” campaign adviser Nick Maddux said. Maddux emphasized Paxton’s appreciation for the outside support and highlighted the attorney general’s ongoing efforts to connect directly with Texas voters. This includes a statewide television advertising campaign launched the previous weekend.

The audio was obtained from an event attendee not supporting Paxton’s campaign, according to reporting. The release of the tape comes amid a challenging electoral contest between Paxton, a Republican seeking a U.S. Senate seat, and Democratic State Representative James Talarico. The race is widely viewed as crucial for both parties, as Texas remains a key battleground in the fight for control of the Senate.

Recent polling averages compiled by RealClearPolitics show Talarico holding a narrow lead of approximately 2.8 percentage points over Paxton. Both campaigns are intensifying their efforts ahead of the upcoming election, with Paxton focusing on fundraising and direct voter outreach despite his expressed concerns about external influences on the campaign’s messaging.