Ken Paxton Rally Attendees Say They Were Asked to Leave

ALLEN, Texas — A Paxton supporter and his Democratic son were asked to leave Ken Paxton’s rally in Allen on Monday night, according to the son, who said security gave no explanation beyond telling them it was a private event.

A TikTok creator, Kait Chiles-Worth, also reported being asked to leave and receiving the same explanation.

David, who attended with his father, said security tapped him on the shoulder and directed him to come with them.

“I asked if there was a problem or a reason they were kicking us out,” David said in written messages. “All they said was it’s a private event and I had to go.”

A TX3DNews reporter witnessed security approach David and direct him to leave, without observing him causing a disturbance beforehand. His father left at the same time. David later confirmed that both men had been instructed to leave.

Paxton’s campaign was contacted for an explanation, including who ordered the removals and whether the attendees had violated an event rule. A response was requested before publication Tuesday morning.

Attending with his father

David said his father supports Paxton and wanted to attend the rally. David, a Democrat who said he had already voted for James Talarico, went along out of curiosity.

“I just wanted to see what the vibe was,” he said.

David said he had not told anyone at the event that he was a Democrat or had voted for Talarico. He also said he wore nothing identifying his political affiliation.

“I felt like security was keeping an eye on me so I wasn’t totally surprised when it happened,” he said.

David described his father as initially shocked and unsure what was happening. According to David, his father later suggested that David’s younger age, appearance and lack of clapping or cheering during the speeches might have drawn attention.

The reason for their removal has not been established. David said security did not identify any specific conduct when he asked why they had to leave.

He described the encounter as “pretty jarring.”

Asked whether the experience changed their opinions of Paxton, David said he did not think it changed his father’s.

“My dad is very conservative,” he said.

As for himself, David said: “I like Paxton even less now I suppose.”

Another attendee reports being asked to leave

Chiles-Worth identified herself in a response to a social media post as another attendee who had been asked to leave the rally.

In a TikTok video describing the encounter, she said she was told it was a private event and asked to leave.

The affiliation of those who approached her has not been confirmed. Her encounter was not witnessed by the reporter.

The campaign inquiry also asked whether other attendees had been removed and what prompted those decisions.

Earlier rally encounters

At an earlier Paxton rally in Allen, a Navy veteran identified as Ellen left after displaying a Talarico campaign sign. She said she anticipated being escorted out once she raised it. The campaign did not respond before publication to questions about that encounter and its policy on opposing campaign signs.

Separately, Thelma Louise, a Black Republican content creator, said she was escorted from Paxton’s Oct. 18 rally in San Antonio. According to the San Antonio Express-News, she said she was told Paxton’s campaign manager wanted her removed. The campaign did not respond to the newspaper before publication, leaving the reason unclear.

Paxton closes campaign tour

Paxton described the Allen rally as the final stop of a 17-day campaign bus tour. He discussed household costs and proposed tax relief, cited his record as attorney general and criticized Talarico on energy, taxes and social issues.

“I’m asking you to look at my record,” Paxton said.

State Rep. Mitch Little and state Sen. Bob Hall urged supporters to turn out voters. Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom spoke against socialism and transgender participation in women’s sports, joking about entering the WNBA draft.

Pastor Richard Ellis offered a prayer before Paxton’s introduction.

“I thank you for my friend Ken. He’s not a perfect man,” Ellis said. “But it may be that he’s the perfect man for this job.”

At approximately 5:20 p.m., ten minutes before doors were scheduled to open, people waited in the restaurant’s lobby, with a few outside. At Paxton’s previous rally there, the line extended along the side of the building.

The room filled in later, with supporters gathered near the stage and television crews positioned toward the back.

Tuesday, Nov. 3, is Election Day and the last day to cast a ballot in the race. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters who are in line by 7 p.m. are entitled to vote.