In the GOP Senate race, Paxton accused Cornyn of faking MAGA loyalty, while Cornyn warned Paxton could cost Republicans in November.
By Gromer Jeffers Jr.
Dallas Morning News
https://www.dallasnews.com/
On the first day of early voting for one of the nation’s marquee races, Republican Senate hopeful Ken Paxton said Monday it was time for Texans to drive incumbent John Cornyn out of office to advance the MAGA agenda.
“This is a guy that is loyal to the Washington establishment,” Paxton told supporters at Ozona Bar & Grill in Dallas. “The biggest complaint I hear is, ‘Cornyn won’t help us.’ That’s how distanced he is from the people of Texas.”
The outgoing attorney general kicked off a multi-city campaign swing as both Republicans scramble to motivate voters before early voting ends Friday in the May 26 runoff. That stretch could determine the outcome of an intraparty fight centered on character attacks and loyalty to President Donald Trump.
Just a day earlier, Cornyn campaigned in North Texas, saying Paxton was unfit for office and could jeopardize both the Senate seat and down-ballot GOP candidates in November.
Paxton pushed back Monday, describing Cornyn as a longtime Washington insider suddenly embracing Trump and the conservative movement because his political survival now depends on it.
He pointed to Cornyn’s past criticism of Trump after the president’s 2020 loss and his earlier skepticism about building a border wall.
“Now he talks about how he loves Donald Trump,” Paxton said. “What happened to John Cornyn that changed his position? I got into the race, and now all of a sudden John Cornyn is…talking about how much he loves Donald Trump.”
State Rep. Katrina Pierson, R-Rockwall, introduced Paxton, calling him the conservative who best reflects Texas values.
“He’s been fighting for Texas, whether it’s consumer protections … or suing the Biden administration 100 times,” she said. “Today marks the one-week trajectory of John Cornyn’s retirement.”
Paxton, who finished second to Cornyn in the primary, urged supporters to show up for the second round. The winner will face Democrat James Talarico in the November general election.
“This is our opportunity,” Paxton said. “Texas can send a message that potentially changes this country.”
Paxton declined to take reporters’ questions at the event.
Coalition argument
Earlier Monday, Cornyn voted in South Austin’s Circle C neighborhood and said he is the candidate who can build the broad coalition Republicans need to hold the Senate seat.
He said Paxton’s polarizing reputation, fueled in part by infidelity allegations, could alienate independent and crossover voters.
“You can’t just win elections with Republican votes,” he told reporters. “You need independents and the occasional convert from the other party, and Ken Paxton will get none of those, and puts all of this at risk.”
He also said the once-promised Trump endorsement for either he or Paxton in the runoff is likely off the table. “That ship has finally sailed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Greg Abbott voted early but declined to say whether he picked Cornyn or Paxton.
“My vote is a secret ballot, it’s going to remain that way,” Abbott said after casting his ballot at the Austin Recreation Center, less than a mile from the Capitol.
Last week, Abbott said he would not make an endorsement in the Senate race.
Staff writers Aarón Torres and John C. Moritz.in Austin contributed to this report.
Political Writer
The Howard University graduate and Chicago native has covered four presidential campaigns and written extensively about local, state and national politics. Before The News, he was a reporter at The Kansas City Star and The Chicago Defender. You can catch Gromer every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on NBC 5’s Lone Star Politics.
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