Senate Control Rides On Paxton, Texas’ Flawed GOP Pick

Senate Control Rides On Paxton, Texas’ Flawed GOP Pick

From Left, Right & Center by KCRW

May 29, 2026 · 50 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of Texas' Senate race and the candidates involved, alongside concerns about A.I. and taxpayer funding.

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code KCRW at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/KCRW Texas Republicans are pinning their hopes on Senate candidate Ken Paxton, the state attorney general who was impeached for abusing his office. Maine Democrats are pinning theirs on Graham Platner, who’s had to explain an old tattoo that looks like a Nazi symbol. Welcome to the 2026 installment of the race to control the U.S. Senate. Pope Leo used his platform to warn about the dangers of A.I. It’s a big topic here in the U.S., but neither the Trump White House nor Congress seem eager to do much. Plus, a listener incensed over taxpayer dollars being used for Trump’s “Anti-Weaponization Fund” asks what he should do with his anger. Producer: Leo Duran Host: David Greene Guests: Mo Elleithee , executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee Sarah Isgur , senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons

People in this episode

Host: David Greene

Guests: Mo Elleithee, Sarah Isgur

Topics covered

  • Senate control
  • Texas politics
  • GOP candidates
  • A.I. concerns
  • impeachment
  • taxpayer funding

Keywords

  • Senate race
  • Ken Paxton
  • Graham Platner
  • A.I.
  • impeachment
  • Texas Republicans
  • Maine Democrats
  • Trump

Sponsors

Incogni

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service, The Dispatch

Places: Texas, Maine

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