Ken Paxton says mandatory spending cuts are essential to balance the budget

Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate, was recorded at a Capitol Hill fundraiser saying mandatory spending must be cut to solve the fiscal shortfall. He described the need for “reasonable cuts” to entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other aid for low-income families, though he offered no specifics on which programs or how deep the cuts would be. The audio, obtained by one outlet, is the latest of several leaks from the September 24 meeting organized by Williams & Jensen and attended by lobbyists, including Jeanne Haggerty, who joked about wanting a personal tax cut.

Paxton paired the spending reductions with a tax policy aimed at boosting production. The comments come as the Senate race against Democrat James Talarico tightens, with early voting set to begin soon and heavy outside spending on both sides.