Paxton’s Private Frustration With Cornyn Adds Pressure to Texas Senate Race
Qwenews.com – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has voiced growing irritation with outgoing Sen. John Cornyn’s limited involvement in his Senate campaign, exposing lingering divisions after their hard-fought Republican primary runoff.
At a Washington fundraiser on September 24, Paxton told attendees that Cornyn was not assisting his effort against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico. Audio from the event was provided by an attendee opposed to Paxton, and two people familiar with the exchange said the comments followed a question about Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
“He’s clearly not helping. He wants me to lose,” Paxton said.
The remarks contrast with Paxton’s public posture after the runoff, when he said he would welcome Cornyn’s support. They also underline the difficult relationship between the two Texas Republicans as the party directs major resources toward protecting a Senate seat that has become increasingly consequential for control of the chamber.
A Dispute Over Influence and Loyalty
Paxton appeared to compare Cornyn’s electoral influence with that of Crockett, who lost to Talarico in the Democratic primary and has not campaigned for him. Paxton said he was unsure how much Crockett could affect voting and suggested Cornyn had similarly limited power over his own campaign.
“I mean maybe a little bit around the margins, just like Cornyn, basically how much he affects me,” Paxton said.
Paxton then described what he said was a recent restaurant encounter involving a friend and Cornyn in Dallas. In Paxton’s version, the friend purchased dessert for Cornyn’s table and thanked the senator for backing the Republican ticket and Paxton’s candidacy.
Paxton said Cornyn became angry during the encounter.
“Cornyn’s face went red. He backed off,” Paxton said. “He said, ‘Paxton’s gonna lose. We need to teach those Republicans a lesson. It’s going to be hard to learn, but they need to know that their decisions have consequences.’”
“That’s what he’s trying to do,” Paxton added. “That’s John Cornyn.”
The restaurant exchange has not been independently verified. Rob Jesmer, a Cornyn representative and longtime political strategist, rejected the account and said the conversation did not occur.
“If Sen. Cornyn wanted Ken to lose, I can assure you he’d be more active in the campaign,” Jesmer said. “He has said he supports the Republican ticket. Given all Ken has said and done, I think that’s a pretty good place for Sen. Cornyn to be.”
Republicans Focus on a Tightening Contest
The dispute arrives as national Republicans work aggressively to keep the Texas seat in GOP hands. Republican groups have committed more than $100 million to the general election, reflecting concern that the contest could be close despite the state’s long Republican statewide winning streak.
Texas has not elected a Democrat to statewide office since 1994. Still, the Senate contest has become important to Republican efforts to maintain their majority, and Paxton’s ability to unite party voters has emerged as a major issue in the campaign’s final stretch.
A late-September Fox News poll found nearly one-third of likely Republican voters held an unfavorable view of Paxton. Although he was supported by 90% of GOP voters overall, roughly one-fifth of Republicans identified as “non-MAGA” favored Talarico instead.
That divide helps explain why Cornyn’s distance has become politically sensitive. A former senator’s active endorsement, fundraising network and public appearances can help close post-primary wounds. Conversely, even a restrained show of support can be interpreted by skeptical voters as evidence that party disagreements remain unresolved.
A Paxton campaign memo dated Tuesday characterized the task in direct terms, saying the campaign’s “biggest challenge we face is shoring up Republicans following a bruising primary.”
Campaigns Respond as Leaks Continue
Paxton’s campaign dismissed the leaked audio as “a story that doesn’t exist,” while emphasizing that Paxton has sought contact with Cornyn.
“Like all Texans, General Paxton appreciates his decades of service to the Lone Star State,” senior adviser Nick Maddux said. “We hope he will join us in our fight to preserve the institution that is the United States Senate and help save our majority.”
The statement said Paxton has called, texted and offered to speak with Cornyn. Chris Brinson and Susan Hirschmann, the lobbyists who hosted the fundraiser, did not respond to requests for comment. Talarico’s campaign also did not comment.
Crockett’s spokesperson, Karrol Rimal, drew a contrast between the congresswoman and Cornyn, noting that Crockett endorsed Talarico on March 4 and has continued working for Democratic candidates nationally.
“Cornyn is the sitting senator and continues to attack his party’s nominee,” Rimal said.
The Cornyn comments are at least the fifth excerpt to emerge from the September fundraising event. Earlier clips placed Paxton’s campaign under pressure after he discussed the political damage he believed the GOP’s midterm convention had caused him.
For Paxton, the closing phase of the race now involves more than winning over undecided Texans. It also requires persuading Republican voters who supported Cornyn or remain uneasy after the primary that the party’s Senate majority is more important than the divisions that shaped the nomination fight.
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