Ken Paxton celebrated a rise in jobs for women. ‘What. Is. He. Thinking???’

September 9, 2026

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sparked controversy within conservative circles when he celebrated August job growth figures showing women dominating employment gains under President Trump. While the White House has been promoting these statistics, some right-wing commentators criticized Paxton's Labor Day post as tone-deaf, arguing it contradicts conservative goals of encouraging women to leave the workforce and focus on raising families. The backlash reveals deep tensions within the Republican Party between touting economic wins and promoting traditional family structures, particularly as the Trump administration explores policies like redirecting childcare subsidies to stay-at-home married parents.

Who is affected

Working women, particularly those in low-wage, low-education-requirement jobs
Black women experiencing elevated unemployment rates
Working-class women who are a key Republican voting demographic
Low-income working parents who currently receive childcare subsidies
Stay-at-home married parents who may benefit from proposed policy changes
Government sector employees impacted by DEI initiative dismantling
Ken Paxton in his Senate race
President Donald Trump facing low approval ratings
Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico

What action is being taken

The White House is celebrating and promoting August job growth figures
Trump administration officials are drafting a plan to redirect childcare subsidies from low-income working parents to stay-at-home married parents
Ken Paxton is running in a Senate race and focusing messaging on attacking transgender people and his Democratic opponent
Paxton is spearheading legal fights against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives through lawsuits and investigations

Why it matters

This controversy reveals fundamental divisions within the conservative movement about women's roles in society and the economy. The debate exposes conflicting Republican priorities between celebrating economic indicators that appeal to working women voters and promoting traditional family structures where women stay home with children. These tensions are particularly significant as Republicans attempt to maintain support among working-class women while key figures like Vice President JD Vance push policies incentivizing women to leave the workforce. The widening gender pay gap and concentration of women's job growth in low-wage sectors also undermines the positive narrative Republicans are attempting to construct, potentially affecting voter perceptions ahead of critical midterm elections that will determine Senate control.

What's next

Trump, Vance and Paxton are scheduled to appear at Republicans' two-day midterm election convention in Dallas, with Wednesday night programming including segments highlighting provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, such as child tax credit enhancements and Trump Accounts for kids' savings.

Read full article from source: The 19th