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Ken Paxton says he will debate James Talarico as long as no CNN reporter is involved
Over beef jerky at a Texas Buc-ee's, the Senate hopeful slammed his Democratic rival and said a CNN reporter is the one thing he will not accept onstage.
Ken Paxton says he is willing to share a debate stage with James Talarico. He just has one big condition.
A campaign stop at Buc-ee's
The Texas attorney general was stopped Tuesday at a Buc-ee's while campaigning for the U.S. Senate. He shared a bag of the chain's steakhouse beef jerky before turning to the race.
Paxton, a Republican, said he is running to keep what he described as "Marxist" and "Democratic Socialist" ideas out of Texas. He argued that Talarico, his Democratic opponent, would hurt the state's economy and border security as well as its oil industry.
The CNN sticking point
On a possible debate, Paxton said he does not want a CNN reporter covering it. He made it clear he is open to facing Talarico under other conditions and went on to lay out more of his terms.
He also said he is still "ready, willing and able" to meet his rival, echoing recent remarks from President Trump.
Confident about November
Paxton said he feels good about where his campaign stands. He also appears to have the support of former NBA player Al Harrington.
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