Cornyn and Paxton Clash Over Loyalty and Electability in Texas Runoff

The political landscape in Texas has become a focal point of national attention as the Republican primary runoff approaches. Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton find themselves in a direct competition, locked in a battle for the nomination that will determine the party’s standard-bearer for the general election. Despite the high stakes, both candidates are currently focused on courting a voter who does not reside in their state: President Donald Trump.

This race has evolved into a complex test of political loyalty versus electoral viability. While Cornyn has historically been viewed as more competitive in a general election against the Democratic candidate, state Rep. James Talarico, Paxton has cultivated a devoted following among the state’s right-wing base. Recent polling indicates that Paxton is more competitive against Talarico than initially anticipated, adding urgency to the situation.

The Filibuster Flip and Legislative Loyalty

A central point of contention in this primary is the Senate filibuster. Cornyn, a four-term senator, recently shifted his long-standing defense of the procedure. This change occurred as Trump presses Republicans to evade the filibuster to pass the Save America Act. Cornyn now supports lifting the rule to advance the bill, which includes sweeping voter identification requirements and provisions barring transgender women from participating in women’s sports.

Cornyn argues that Texans do not need endless discussions over Washington rules, noting that Democrats have already promised to break them. However, critics within his party’s right flank accuse him of changing his position solely to secure the president’s endorsement. State Rep. Steve Toth, a Paxton supporter, described Cornyn’s op-ed as innocuous at best. Toth emphasized that he needed to see drastic action, such as openly demanding an end to the filibuster or requiring Democrats to physically filibuster from the floor.

Paxton’s allies argue that the attorney general demonstrated a servant’s heart by being willing to drop out of the race if leadership pushed for an up-and-down vote on the legislation. They contend Cornyn has not stepped up to the same level of commitment. Gregg Keller, who runs a super PAC supporting Paxton, stated that the MAGA base would not believe in Cornyn’s conviction on lifting the filibuster until he achieves success.

Campaign Ads and Personal Attacks

The campaign has escalated into a war of television ads, with both sides launching attacks designed to influence the base. Paxton and his allies are airing commercials that cast Cornyn as a traitor to the MAGA movement. These advertisements are specifically targeting the region that includes Trump’s Florida residence.

One of the ads aired by a super PAC supporting Paxton lists ways Cornyn has allegedly betrayed Trump. It highlights instances where Cornyn supported or praised the president’s personal enemies, including President Joe Biden’s attorney general Merrick Garland, deputy attorney general Lisa Monaco, and former FBI director James B. Comey. Cornyn has dismissed these attacks, stating that it is easy to cherry-pick things out of context during a long career in the Senate.

Cornyn previously cast doubt on Trump’s electability in 2023, telling reporters that time had passed the president by and suggesting the party choose an alternative. He has since stated he was wrong to doubt Trump’s electability and endorsed him in 2024 after the New Hampshire primary. Despite this, Paxton’s team continues to launch ads listing times Cornyn cast doubt on Trump’s electability.

The Endorsement Dilemma

President Trump has promised to make his pick known soon but has so far withheld support. Cornyn acknowledges that an endorsement would be substantial, given the president’s high support among Republicans in the state. However, Cornyn maintains that they are preparing for combat on May 26th regardless of the outcome. He stated that if the president decides to endorse, he would welcome it, but they are not waiting around.

Trump has indicated he could issue his endorsement as soon as the current week, keeping a close eye on how the Save America Act advances in the Senate. He has pledged not to sign any other legislation until the bill passes. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has urged Trump for months to endorse Cornyn but admitted he could not speak for the president regarding timing.

The deadline for candidates to withdraw from the ballot passed on Tuesday evening, and neither Cornyn nor Paxton dropped out. With the runoff set for May 26th, the pressure remains on both men to demonstrate their alignment with the president’s agenda while maintaining their own paths to victory.

Key Takeaways

• Runoff Status: Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are locked in a runoff for the Texas Republican primary nomination.
• Trump’s Role: Both candidates are actively courting President Donald Trump, who has withheld his endorsement despite promising a decision soon.
• Legislative Shift: Cornyn has abandoned his defense of the Senate filibuster to support the Save America Act, a move criticized by some as opportunistic.
• Campaign Tactics: Paxton’s allies are airing ads near Trump’s Florida estate attacking Cornyn’s past comments on Trump’s electability and loyalty.
• General Election: While Cornyn is seen as more competitive against Democrat James Talarico, Paxton has gained ground with the right-wing base.

Summary

The Texas Republican primary runoff represents a critical juncture for the party’s future direction. As Cornyn and Paxton continue their battle, the withheld endorsement of Donald Trump remains the pivotal variable. The clash centers on the interpretation of loyalty, specifically regarding the filibuster and the Save America Act. With the withdrawal deadline passed and the runoff date set for May 26th, both candidates are preparing for a fierce contest where the president’s final decision could define the trajectory of the campaign and the subsequent general election.