President Donald Trump Rallies Voters in San Antonio as Protests and Security Disrupt Texas Senate Race
President Donald Trump traveled to San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday evening to rally support for embattled U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton at the Freeman Coliseum. The event drew supporters and sparked repeated protests inside the arena, highlighting high-stakes political divisions as Republicans pour more than $300 million into Texas midterm races, the Associated Press reported.
Protests Disrupt San Antonio Arena During Trump Remarks
At least half a dozen demonstrators interrupted the president during his speech at the Freeman Coliseum, with some individuals escorted out by police. One protester was physically assaulted by an older Trump supporter while attempting to leave the venue. The president briefly stepped away from the microphone after one demonstrator appeared to approach the stage, later remarking that the individual was heading home to his mother, who he claimed voted for him. Supporters drowned out parts of the disruptions by chanting “USA” and waving cowboy hats while Trump told demonstrators to leave and claimed without evidence that they were paid by enemies of our nation.
Polls Show James Talarico Leading Ken Paxton
The Texas Senate race has tightened significantly, driven by a recent New York Times/Siena College poll showing Democratic challenger James Talarico leading Paxton 51% to 45% among likely voters. Paxton, whom Trump endorsed during the Republican primary after turning against incumbent Senator John Cornyn, joined the president on stage to express gratitude for the visit. Meanwhile, Reuters/Ipsos polling completed on Monday put Trump’s approval rating at 32% in the state, where registered voters preferred Democrats to Republicans 44% to 37%.
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones Requests Meeting on Affordability
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones requested a meeting with the president ahead of the rally to address what she described as an affordability crisis, Texas Public Radio reported. The mayor noted that San Antonio remains the third-most-impoverished big city in the country, leaving residents disproportionately vulnerable to federal policies impacting grocery bills and gas prices. Local Democrats also organized protests regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement enforcement activities and the ongoing war in Iran, which local officials noted has driven gasoline prices in the community to nearly $3.70.
Governor Greg Abbott Skips Rally Amid Re-Election Contest
Republican Governor Greg Abbott did not attend the San Antonio rally, choosing instead to appear at a hospital dedication roughly 330 miles away amid his own competitive re-election contest against Democratic state representative Gina Hinojosa. The midterm elections take place on November 3, with control of the U.S. Senate depending heavily on the outcome of the race in Texas.
Trump Supports Carlos De La Cruz in Texas
Trump was boosted from obscurity in Texas’s 35th Congressional District by the president ahead of the rally, meeting Carlos De La Cruz, the GOP nominee in a district drawn specifically to elect a Republican. Trump told the crowd, This state produced legends like Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, William Travis, who fought for the Alamo.
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