Cornyn says he won’t campaign for Paxton in Texas Senate race
Sen. john Cornyn (R-TX) says he does not plan to actively campaign for Texas attorney General Ken Paxton, though he will vote for him and support the party’s ticket. Cornyn previously criticized Paxton during the Republican primary-calling him a “con man” and “fraud”-and his reluctance to stump for him now signals ongoing internal tensions that could make it harder for Paxton to win over Cornyn voters.
The article notes that Republican leaders had favored Cornyn during the fight, but have shifted behind Paxton since his win, amid expectations of a costly Senate race that republicans currently rate as leaning their way. It also highlights Cornyn’s recent willingness to break with President Donald Trump on some issues, while still saying he wants Trump, the republican Party, and the country to succeed-adding that he will speak up when he thinks ther is overreach or a bad idea, and emphasizing the need to focus on defeating Democrats.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) has no intention to campaign for his fellow Republican, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, in the heated Senate race against Democrat James Talarico.
Cornyn offered an unequivocal “No” to the Washington Examiner on Tuesday when asked whether he would actively campaign for Paxton after being ousted by the Trump-endorsed candidate in the Republican primary. Still, the fourth-term incumbent confirmed he’ll vote for Paxton.
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“Everything I’ve said about him in the primary is true,” Cornyn said, while reaffirming he will “support the ticket.”
The Washington Examiner contacted the Paxton campaign for comment.
Throughout the bitterly divided primary, Cornyn referred to Paxton as a “con man,” a “fraud,” and a “flawed, self-centered, and shameless candidate.” But until now, Cornyn has been vague about his level of involvement with Paxton, beyond backing his party’s nominee. His refusal to stump for Paxton, beyond casting a ballot for him, reveals the extent of the bad blood between the Lone Star State Republicans and presents a lingering point of contention that could undermine Paxton’s efforts to win over Cornyn voters as Talarico also courts them.
Leadership-aligned Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), aggressively favored Cornyn. Since Paxton’s win, they’ve moved behind the attorney general in what could be the most expensive Senate race in the country. The contest favors the GOP as a “lean Republican” seat, but Democrats are prepared to spend heavily to boost Talarico. A Talarico win could help Democrats take control of the chamber.
A liberated Cornyn has, in recent weeks, been more willing to break with President Donald Trump. That includes Trump’s appointment to lead the nation’s intelligence community and a nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” from the administration that could benefit U.S. Capitol rioters. An effort by Cornyn before the primary to designate U.S. Route 287 as “Trump Interstate” is no longer among his priorities.
Cornyn previewed more potential policy areas he may break with the president on a “case-by-case basis,” but he doubled down on his preference that Republicans maintain the majority.
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“I’m going to try to help the president because I want him to succeed. I want the Republican Party to succeed. I want the country to succeed,” Cornyn said. “But on a case-by-case basis, when I think there’s been overreach, or just a bad idea, I’m not going to hesitate to weigh in.”
He continued: “I think it’s important for the country that we maintain the majority. But first, we need to stop the circular firing squads and focus on Democrats.”
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