Manchin says ‘if character means anything, you can’t vote for Ken Paxton’
Former West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin criticized Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s character during an appearance on NewsNation’s Chris Stirewalt, saying voters could not support Paxton if character mattered. When asked about Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, Manchin said he did not know him well and was dismayed by some of Talarico’s past comments.
Why It Matters
Manchin’s remarks draw attention to character as a campaign issue in the Texas Senate race and add a high-profile, centrist Republican-turned-independent voice to criticism of a leading GOP candidate. The comments may influence public discussion about candidate qualifications ahead of the election cycle.
Key Facts
- Speaker: Former Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.)
- Target: Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General (R)
- Program: Interview with Chris Stirewalt on NewsNation’s "The Hill Sunday"
- Quote: Manchin said, in effect, that 'if character means anything, you can’t vote for Ken Paxton'.
- Other subject: Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico — Manchin said he did not know him and was discouraged by some things Talarico has said.
Former Sen. Joe Manchin sharply criticized Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s character during an interview on NewsNation’s Chris Stirewalt, which aired on the program The Hill Sunday. Manchin framed his remarks around the importance of personal character in choosing public officials, saying voters could not support Paxton if character mattered.
The exchange occurred when Manchin was asked about Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico. Manchin said he did not know Talarico personally and expressed discouragement about some statements Talarico has made, without offering detailed examples during the segment.
Manchin’s comments singled out Paxton by name and placed character front and center in his critique, reflecting the former senator’s public stance on the qualities he views as essential for elected officials. The remarks add a notable voice to ongoing political conversations about the Texas Senate race.
The interview provided limited detail beyond Manchin’s expressed reservations: he linked his assessment of Paxton to the broader question of whether voters should prioritize character when evaluating candidates, and noted uncertainty about Talarico due to unfamiliarity and concern over past remarks.
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