Former Vice President Mike Pence addressed the shifting landscape of the Republican Party on Sunday, following a major political shake-up in Texas where Ken Paxton secured the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate. Appearing on “Meet the Press” with host Kristen Welker, Pence discussed how former President Donald Trump’s influence is shaping recent primary victories while warning that a new wave of populism threatens traditional conservative principles.
Welker questioned whether Paxton’s nomination could jeopardize the Texas Senate seat for Republicans, pointing to ethical and moral concerns raised within the party. Paxton was indicted on securities fraud charges in 2015, faced an impeachment trial over bribery allegations in 2023, and was sued for divorce by his wife in 2025 following accusations of adultery.
When asked directly if he supports Paxton, Pence did not give a direct endorsement but stated he could not support the Democratic candidate.
“Well, I – I could never – if I was voting in Texas, I could never vote for the Democrat nominee, Talarico, who is a radical left, supports abortion on demand, embrace the radical gender ideology of the Democratic Party,” Pence said. “Look, I think in many respects Republicans have lost our way. But Democrats have lost their mind.”
Pence attributed recent primary outcomes in Texas, Louisiana, and Indiana to Trump’s enduring popularity among Republican voters, crediting Trump’s willingness to fight the political left. However, Pence used the appearance to promote his new book and draw a distinction between traditional conservatism and the current direction of the party under Trump’s second term.
“There’s a new threat to that historic conservatism in the Republican Party, and it’s a threat from the populist right that would embrace big government, the policies, many of which have been embraced by this administration of not only broad-based tariffs, nationalization of businesses, price controls,” Pence said. He also critiqued the populist shift toward isolationism, noting that some voices have “pulled us back from unwavering support as leader of the free world, particularly in Eastern Europe and even many challenging our support for Israel,” while also “marginalizing the right to life.”
Welker noted a string of recent losses for established Republicans, including Senator John Cornyn, Senator Bill Cassidy, and Congressman Thomas Massie, and recalled Senator Lindsey Graham’s recent assertion that the Republican Party belongs to Donald Trump.
Pence acknowledged Trump’s grip on the electorate but argued that the current administration has departed from the core tenets established during the Reagan era. While he credited Trump for securing the border, extending tax cuts, and standing with Israel, he warned against protectionist and isolationist trends.
“I think what’s lesser-known right now is the way this second Trump administration has departed from the conservative agenda that we governed on, the conservative agenda that has defined the Republican Party since the days of Ronald Reagan and before and that’s an agenda of American leadership, limited government, free market economics, the right to life,” Pence said.
As the party navigates internal divisions ahead of the midterm elections, Pence expressed optimism that traditional conservative values would ultimately keep voters aligned with the Republican platform.
“I think that we’re living in a time of, you know, extraordinary change in both political parties,” Pence said. “But I still believe, Kristen, that the overwhelming majority of people that ever vote Republican believe in freedom, believe in limited government, believe in traditional values.”
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