Posted on 01/21/2026 12:12:26 PM PST by DFG
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn says he will continue skipping primary debates until a likely runoff, sharpening a dispute that rivals say amounts to avoiding voters.
John Cornyn is the senior United States Senator from Texas, having served since 2002. He is a Republican and is currently in his fourth term, which will end on January 3, 2027. He is running for re-election in the Republican primary scheduled for March 3, 2026.
Cornyn is facing challengers, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt.
Cornyn stated he does not plan to participate in debates before the March 3 primary and would only consider doing so if the race proceeds to a runoff in late May. Cornyn made the remarks during a recent television interview with “Capital Tonight.”
“I don’t really see any real benefit to doing that at this point,” Cornyn reportedly said. “We’ll narrow down the field on March 3.”
Cornyn argued that the Republican primary is effectively a two-person contest between himself and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, dismissing U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt of Houston as “not a real factor.”
Cornyn said he would be “happy” to debate in a runoff but questioned whether Paxton would agree, adding, “So far he’s been pretty much in hiding, and I think there’s a real question whether he would want that debate.”
Cornyn’s position marks a clearer articulation of a strategy that has already drawn criticism from his Republican rivals. Earlier this month, Hunt accused Cornyn of running what he called a “basement campaign” by declining multiple debate invitations, arguing that voters were being denied a chance to see candidates challenged publicly, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
In that earlier reporting, Hunt told The Dallas Express that Cornyn had declined three debate offers and was relying instead on heavy television advertising. Paxton’s representatives also criticized Cornyn’s refusal to debate, with a spokesman telling DX that the incumbent was avoiding scrutiny.
Cornyn’s recent comments appear to confirm that he does not intend to reverse course before the primary.
Hunt responded sharply, saying in a statement that “John Cornyn won’t debate because he can’t,” and adding that Texans are “done with politicians who dodge voters,” according to Spectrum News 1.
Recent polls have shown Cornyn and Paxton nearly tied, with Hunt trailing but still drawing enough support to deny either a majority and trigger a runoff.
Cornyn said he remains hopeful of an endorsement from President Donald Trump, despite reports that Trump may stay out of several Republican Senate primaries.
“There’s one person who will make that decision, and it’s President Trump,” Cornyn said on “Capital Tonight.”
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Trump didn’t debate during the 2024 Republican primaries.
Yeah but that’s different.
That's the narrative Cornyn wants in people's minds to avoid any chance he actually comes in third...there was one poll showing him in the low 30s so it would not take much for him to be overtaken.
Cornhole can’t face a debate.
As an Assistant Democrat, he’d be destroyed.
Perhaps this time we can finally get Mr. Rino primaried.
.
If there is a runoff, Cornyn may not be in it.
Cornyn can handle uncomfortable questions about his voting record.
Can’t, dang it!
Won’t be voting for Cornyn after the gun control laws that passed with Cornyn voting in favor following the Uvalde shootings.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Republican, TX, sure hasn’t done anything in the Senate to help his neighbors to the north in KS.
Can see Paxton on debate stage with an empty RINO chair opposite him.
Actually, John Cornyn “negotiated“ (his words) that law. And used typical Democrat tactic of pushing it through quickly while emotions were raw from the Uvalde shooting. Biden later used that law to shut down gun shows, at least a few here in Texas. Cornyn protested that that’s not what he intended the law to do, I can’t remember if Biden backed off or a court slapped him down.
I will not vote for Cornholio even if he wins the primary.
Do they allow democrats to cross over in TX? That’s how Lindsey Graham keeps getting re-elected in SC. They allow democrats to vote in the primary of their choice. They know that no democrat will win so they flood the republican primary with votes boosting Graham. That guarantees the least conservative candidate always wins. I would hate to see that happen in TX.
-PJ
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