Incumbent Senator Faces Tough Re-Election Battle
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is gearing up for a tough race to hang on to his seat versus Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Cornyn recently addressed the challenge by Paxton during a press call, where he also promoted President Donald Trump’s tax and spending package, known as the "Big Beautiful Bill."
Denying Rumors of Dropping Out
Cornyn rebuked the notion that he would drop out of the 2026 Republican primary. "I will be on the primary ballot, no matter what," Cornyn said. "There is no other candidate who can win that race in the primary and keep the seat Republican in November." This statement comes after a report by The Wall Street Journal suggested that Cornyn "would be willing to step aside for the right candidate to defeat Paxton."
Current Polling Results
A May poll conducted by Texas Southern University’s Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center found Paxton leading Cornyn by 9 percentage points in a two-person race in the GOP primary. However, Cornyn remains confident that public opinion will shift as voters become more familiar with his campaign and policies.
Addressing Allegations Against Paxton
Cornyn also addressed recent allegations by former Paxton aides that one of the attorney general’s top employees pressured witnesses during Paxton’s 2023 impeachment trial. "It’s pretty clear that the attorney general has a dysfunctional office," Cornyn said. "These allegations by high-level lieutenants of the attorney general, that there was actual witness tampering during the impeachment trial and people were being intimidated from testifying to the truth, is very troubling."
The "Big Beautiful Bill"
Cornyn addressed the challenge by Paxton during a press call promoting the "Big Beautiful Bill," which is currently working its way through Congress. The bill has made headlines for its proposed cuts to Medicaid and welfare programs in an effort to make permanent tax cuts for the nation’s wealthiest.
Controversy Surrounding the Bill
According to a new estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the bill would also raise the nation’s deficit by around $2.8 trillion, the highest estimate released by the office. Despite the controversy, Cornyn remains steadfast in his support for the legislation, which he expects to pass the Senate this weekend.
Reimbursement Funding for Border Security
One of the bill’s aspects promoted by Cornyn was reimbursement funding for Texas’ border security spending during the Biden administration. Under the bill’s current version, Cornyn said around $13.5 billion would be available – about $2.5 billion over what Texas initially asked for.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sen. John Cornyn is facing a tough re-election battle against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Despite current polling results and rumors of dropping out, Cornyn remains confident in his ability to win the primary and keep the seat Republican. The outcome of the election will likely depend on various factors, including the progress of the "Big Beautiful Bill" and the ongoing investigation into allegations against Paxton. As the election approaches, it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds and which candidate will ultimately come out on top.
