Posted on 04/19/2025 12:56:12 PM PDT by RandFan
Sen. John Cornyn has long been a reliable conservative in Congress. But that may not be enough to get the Texas Republican reelected...
The Cornyn-Paxton primary fight is a "proxy war" in the GOP, said Axios. "Top MAGA luminaries" are skeptical of Cornyn because of his pro-Ukraine stance and work on a bipartisan gun bill after the 2022 Uvalde school massacre. The senator is the "epitome of the establishment," said Steve Bannon, an ally of President Donald Trump, to Axios. Paxton, meanwhile, carries a reputation as a "pro-Donald Trump knife fighter," said Axios. His candidacy is a "warning shot," said MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk on his eponymous radio show.
This makes Trump's approval critical in the race, said The Hill. The president said Thursday he will make an endorsement "at the right time." Cornyn has already been endorsed by Majority Leader John Thune (R-N.D.) and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Tim Scott (S.C.). But the president's nod will make the biggest splash. Trump is not tipping his hand. "They're both friends of mine," he said Saturday.
Paxton's new campaign is "becoming a major headache for Republicans," said Politico. They're worried that Trump "could elevate more MAGA-aligned challengers" to sitting GOP senators, "forcing a round of bitterly contested primaries." Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana are seen as vulnerable to challenge from the right. That could "complicate" the Republican Party's efforts to retain control of the Senate in 2026, even though the map is "heavily tilted" in their favor. The challenge: GOP leaders "need Trump but also know they can't control him."
Another "overriding fear" is that a bitter Texas primary will be expensive, said CNN. The campaign could cost the party more than $100 million, "siphoning money from other critical battlegrounds."
(Excerpt) Read more at theweek.com ...
My suspicion is Ken has got this easily. TX Republicans may feel Cornyn has been in DC long enough and it's time for change.
For this reason I dont think it will be nasty. Paxton could well cruise (CRUZ) to victory although I'm sure Cornyn will sling some low blows and spend his war chest rather than go quietly.
Paxton is already getting endorsements from the Texas Congresscritters. You got to think he's favorite for this!?!
Kamala had no primary.
It did not save her.
Go Paxton Go!
The first sentence says Cornyn has been a reliable conservative? I don’t know his entire record, but the impression I get from Free Republic, is that he is a RINO type, and his being RINO is what caused Paxton to challenge him in the primary.
Cornhole got Thune’s endorsement. That will convince a lot of people...
...To vote for Paxton.
Yes it’s nonsense
“John Cornyn has long been a reliable conservative in Congress.”
I guess I missed that.
Cornyn should just announce his retirement. Paxton will beat him by 25% in the primary.
He is down massively if you believe rumors of internal polls
Paxton won’t need to make it nasty in fact the tone will be a lot gentler perhaps just statesmanlike. Cornyn is going to get an expensive lesson. Once voters have made up their mind on change there is not much you can do.
This is what I feel. Fingers crossed!
Cornyn conservative?
libertyscore.conservativereview.com/john-cornyn/
54 = F
Who will replace Paxton?
It’s a fairly simple fight between the Bush/Wall Street/New World Order globalist Republicans on one side, and the Populist/Main Street/Nationalists on the the other.
The deep state has been transferring left leaning voters in from California, Minnesota and the Northeast for the last 20 years. (based on license plates). SO it’s going to be closer than it should be.
Paxton has taken on the tech giants - and won. So there will be no shortage of money for Cornyn unless the oligarchs figure that Paxton will be less dangerous to them as 1% of the Senate than he would be running free in Texas.
Anyone in Congress who certified the 2020 Big Steal should be primaried. Good for Paxton to challenge this RINO.
Paxton is in the right place, right time. This could go very smoothly.
I stopped reading after that BS dump.
I really think TX GOP want this change. It wont be much of a contest from what I gather.
Paxton all the way.
BTW, Cornyn is NOT a reliable conservative vote.
He’s a Swamp Rat RINO, be good to see these POS dinosaurs go away.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.