President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Texas Senator John Cornyn, labeling him as “VERY disloyal” while endorsing his opponent, Attorney General Ken Paxton, in the upcoming Senate primary runoff. Trump expressed his support for Paxton and his disapproval of Cornyn through a Truth Social post.
Trump accused Cornyn of failing to support the SAVE AMERICA ACT, which includes measures like voter ID requirements and restrictions on mail-in ballots, with exceptions for the military, illness, disability, or travel. In his post, Trump praised Paxton as a “GREAT Attorney General” and emphasized his loyalty.
The endorsement has heightened Paxton’s chances of securing the nomination. Trump has effectively encouraged voters to replace politicians who do not align with his agenda. This strategy has yielded results, evidenced by Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky losing to Ed Gallrein and incumbent Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy being defeated by Julia Letlow and John Fleming, both endorsed by Trump.
Cornyn Defends His Record
Senator Cornyn addressed the situation on NewsNation’s The Hill, stressing his position as a Trump ally. He differentiated his case from other recent Trump-endorsed contests, suggesting Trump’s support for Paxton stems from frustrations with the Senate. Cornyn stated he has been supportive of Trump’s agenda, selectively choosing areas of disagreement.
Primary Race Significance
The winner of the Texas runoff will compete in the November general election against Democratic state Representative James Talarico. Despite Texas traditionally favoring Trump, Talarico, known for combining faith-based rhetoric with progressive politics, poses a significant challenge. He aims to become the first Democrat to win a Texas Senate seat since 1993.
Many establishment Republicans have rallied behind Cornyn, concerned about Paxton’s legal and ethical controversies. Paxton has faced a 2015 felony securities fraud case, aides’ corruption allegations resulting in a $6.6 million settlement paid by the state, and a 2023 impeachment by the Texas House, from which he was later acquitted.
Thune Supports Cornyn
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has expressed his support for Cornyn, despite Trump’s endorsement of Paxton. Thune noted that while he cannot control Trump’s endorsements, he remains committed to supporting Cornyn’s reelection. Thune emphasized Cornyn’s effectiveness as a senator and maintained confidence in the Republican strategy to defend their Senate seats.
Thune acknowledged the challenges ahead, as Republicans need to defend 24 seats, while Democrats have only nine. He underscored the importance of ensuring incumbents’ success and the necessity of quality candidates for election victories.