Republican Ken Paxton, locked in an unexpectedly tight US Senate race in Texas, has drawn criticism after being photographed wearing a Four Seasons Orlando golf shirt and a luxury watch worth roughly £30,000 while campaigning in San Antonio. The moment has proved awkward given the affordability concerns dominating the race, with Democratic rival James Talarico seizing on the imagery to contrast his own modest finances with Paxton's multimillion-pound net worth.

Paxton, 63, has a declared net worth of between £10 million and £21 million, compared with Talarico's £12,000 to £39,000, and the pair are separated by just a few points in recent polling, with one survey putting Paxton behind 42% to 48%. Paxton has defended his wealth as the product of a successful legal career, while some fellow Republicans have voiced concern over funding for his campaign to hold a seat Democrats have not won in over three decades; he previously survived an impeachment trial and has faced allegations of adultery amid a divorce.