Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Optimistic About Senate Run

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is feeling confident about his chances in the upcoming Republican Senate primary, even if he doesn’t have the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. “He makes his own decisions,” Paxton said in a recent conversation. “I’m perfectly fine now. Either way, we’re set to win this election. We’ll see next Tuesday if we’re in the lead.”

Paxton received an invitation from Congressman Troy Neals (R-Texas) to attend Trump’s State of the Union address. He’s one of seven candidates aiming to unseat long-time Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), who is pursuing a fifth term.

Early voting has already commenced in Texas, with the primary election scheduled for March 3. Paxton recognized that while it’s challenging to stand out in such a competitive field, there’s still a path forward, especially if the contest ends up going to a runoff. “Winning outright is tough, but, you know, anything can happen,” Paxton noted. “And if someone’s going to do it, it’ll be me.”

Much of the focus has recently been on the rivalry between Paxton, Cornyn, and Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas). Interestingly, Trump has refrained from backing any specific candidate, saying he supports all three.

Cornyn is clearly Paxton’s primary opponent in this crowded race. Both have been aggressively campaigning against each other, resulting in substantial financial losses for both sides. When asked about Cornyn, Paxton didn’t hold back, stating, “He’s not a polite guy.” Paxton accused Cornyn of being ineffective during his long tenure in the Senate, labeling him a “fake John Cornyn” and alleging that he misleads voters.

Paxton, reflecting on Cornyn’s lengthy career, remarked, “He’s been in power since I was in college, and I’m 63 years old. He’s been here for 24 years, and I don’t care what he says. He’s a deceitful man.” In response, Cornyn expressed disbelief at Paxton’s criticism, suggesting that perhaps he was “sleeping under a rock.”

“My Senate office is recognized as one of the most effective in the Senate,” Cornyn asserted. “We drive significant legislation for Texas and the nation.” His comments hint at doubts about Paxton’s awareness of his accomplishments.

Even as Paxton remains optimistic about the impending election results, Cornyn anticipates the possibility of a runoff between the two. “We’re going to kick him out after May 26th,” Cornyn confidently declared.