Democrat James Talarico is calling for policy consensus from his General Election opponent.
Talarico called on Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton to back his plan to suspend the federal diesel tax, a proposal supported by multiple Republican heavyweights including U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott and, most notably, President Donald Trump.
Talarico and Paxton will face off in the Nov. 3 General Election, with the winner replacing Cornyn in the U.S. Senate.
“Texas farmers and ranchers need diesel for their equipment," Talarico said in a news release. "Families will foot the bill at the grocery store as transportation costs for goods skyrocket. Meanwhile, Ken Paxton is silent — choosing to support the war driving up diesel prices
instead of my commonsense plan to bring diesel prices down."
Despite a wealth of bipartisan support for the measure, Paxton has remained silent on the issue while simultaneously supporting the war in Iran, which stands as the leading cause of rising gas prices. Since the start of the conflict, Americans have spent nearly $730 million more on gas.
The average price of diesel fuel in Texas is $5.58 per gallon as of Sept. 11.
"I am calling on Ken Paxton to stop ignoring Texans struggling with high diesel prices caused by the war he backed and join President Trump and John Cornyn in backing my plan to suspend the federal diesel tax," Talarico said.
Paxton has so far not responded to Talarico's call.
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Talarico presses Paxton on diesel tax in Texas US Senate race
