Vance takes aim at soft-on-crime Dems as GOP faces uphill midterm battle: Lost their minds

EXCLUSIVE: TYLER, Texas — Faced with an uphill battle in November's as costs soar for Americans, Vice President JD Vance is making a pitch that the alternative is not better and argued that Democrats would only make existing problems like street crime worse.

"It sort of drives home how the Democrats have kind of lost their minds," Vance told Fox News Digital Tuesday when asked about a recent rash of Somali gang violence in Minnesota.

"And if you elect Democrats, you're fundamentally electing people who will invite criminals into your state, into your communities and make your communities less safe."

In typically blue Minnesota, Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is vying for a seat in the U.S. Senate but is facing a tough challenge from Republican Michele Tafoya.

100-SHOT SOMALI GANG GUN BATTLE ROCKS MINNESOTA AS SHERIFF WARNS 'WE'RE IN TROUBLE'

"If you elect Republicans, you may not agree with us on everything, but we agree on some basic principles," Vance continued. "Like, for example, everybody should be safe. Everybody should be secure in their communities, and we don't want let violent criminals come into our country.

"So, I do think that contrast is driven a little bit more starkly given what's happening in Minnesota."

Fox News Digital spoke with the vice president after a campaign rally in the town of Tyler, Texas, about 100 miles east of Dallas, Tuesday. There, Vance rallied for Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton who is also in a tight U.S. Senate race with Democrat state Rep. James Talarico.

FOX NEWS POLL: ITS A LONE STAR SENATE SHOWDOWN BETWEEN TALARICO AND PAXTON

The progressive candidate recently returned from a two-week campaign absence, which Vance described as "odd."

"How old is he? Thirty-five? Forty?" Vance asked about Talarico. "You've got to have the energy to do the job, and taking two weeks off the campaign in October — that's the meat of the campaign — I just think it's a very, very bizarre thing."

The vice president added that he hopes Talarico's health is OK but that Texans must weigh whether he has the energy to do the job as a U.S. Senator.

TALARICO DISAPPEARANCE HAS DEM VOLUNTEERS WORRYING AND TRUMP ASKING, 'WHAT IS GOING ON?'

In that race, Talarico has demanded a debate with Paxton, who has yet to oblige. President Donald Trump said the two should debate, posting to Truth Social that Paxton is "ready, willing, and able." Vance took a softer stance when asked about a potential debate.

"That's ultimately something Ken Paxton and James Talarico are going to decide," Vance told Fox News Digital, adding that Paxton will make a "great senator."

"Obviously, those are some … things the campaigns have to negotiate," he continued. "But I'll let Ken Paxton and James Talarico make that decision. Ultimately, they each have to make their case to the people of Texas."

Nationwide, Republicans are underwater when it comes to the , along with the war in Iran, according to Fox News polling.

REPUBLICANS FACE BRUTAL MIDTERM HEADWINDS. SIX FORCES COULD HELP THEM DEFY HISTORY.

Of those polled in