Republican Senator John Cornyn from Texas appears to be attempting to reshape his political image, positioning himself as a champion for election integrity and America First ideals.
Facing a challenging reelection campaign, Cornyn is in a Republican primary runoff against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. In a tactical maneuver, Paxton has linked his campaign to the passage of the SAVE America Act, indicating he would drop out if the Senate approves the legislation, thus avoiding a costly primary fight.
In a bid to secure President Trump’s endorsement and outmaneuver Paxton, Cornyn penned an op-ed for the New York Post titled “Why the SAVE Act matters more than the filibuster.”
In this piece, he attempts to persuade both Trump and Texas voters that he has changed his approach. Cornyn claims Democrats have already “dealt the filibuster a fatal blow” by threatening to eliminate it, arguing that Republicans should not allow them to block the SAVE America Act now, only to later abolish the filibuster when they regain power.
“Currently, Democrats are using the Senate rules to block the SAVE America Act, defund the Department of Homeland Security, and harm the American people—all motivated by an agenda against President Trump. Yet, they openly suggest that should these rules hinder them, they won’t hesitate to discard them. Rules only hold value if both parties adhere to them,” Cornyn stated.
He points out Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s past attempts to end the filibuster for an election overhaul bill, a move only halted by former Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, who faced backlash from their party for doing so. Furthermore, he references Schumer’s willingness to pursue similar actions again if Democrats regain the majority.
Despite Cornyn sounding like he’s had a political awakening, it raises questions about where this resolve was in 2024 when he actively sought support from GOP colleagues by advocating for the preservation of the filibuster.
In a letter to GOP senators in September 2024, looking to take on the majority leader position, Cornyn labeled those advocating for the filibuster’s abolition as “liberal activists.”
He voiced concerns that liberal activists might exploit the filibuster’s removal now but would regret it if the circumstances shifted in the future.
However, his comments about protecting the filibuster seem inconsistent given his previous actions. During Trump’s early presidency, Cornyn favored abolishing it to pass tax cuts and expedite funding for the border wall, yet he and other establishment figures opted against it, citing its importance for “minority rights.”
With his seat at risk, Cornyn’s message now shifts dramatically. This op-ed isn’t the first instance where external pressure, particularly from Paxton’s campaign, has influenced his stance on the filibuster.
In November 2025, amid a government shutdown and escalating calls from Trump to either scrap or modify the filibuster for appropriations, Cornyn expressed he was “open to changes” but stopped short of endorsing outright elimination.
Paxton’s announcement to step aside if Congress approves the SAVE Act is a strategic move, applying pressure on Republicans to act and showcasing his commitment to reforms that resonate with Trump, who has championed the legislation. This tactic likely buys Paxton time as he waits for Trump’s official endorsement in the Texas primary runoff.
Initially seen as Trump’s favored candidate, Cornyn’s attempt to gain favor through his op-ed signals, “I’m also in favor of the SAVE Act, and I’m even willing to rethink the filibuster!”
However, his shift in strategy seems driven by factors beyond just a newfound commitment to election legislation, particularly as recent polls show him trailing Paxton in direct matchups.
A recent Texas Public Opinion Research poll reveals Paxton leading Cornyn 49 percent to 41 percent. Should Trump endorse Paxton, that lead could expand significantly, making it nearly impossible for Cornyn to recover.
Even if Trump endorses Cornyn, he still trails Paxton by a narrow margin, relying on moderate voters who may be hesitant to switch allegiances. Former supporters of Texas primary candidate Wesley Hunt have shown a considerable shift towards Paxton, complicating Cornyn’s position.
Another poll from Public Policy Polling shows neither Republican candidate has a clear advantage against Democratic candidate James Talarico, indicating a tough race ahead for whoever wins the GOP nomination.
Cornyn’s camp has leaned heavily on the notion of electability, but the surveys suggest it’s not resonating with primary voters who perceive him as the establishment choice.
Interestingly, Cornyn opted to publish his op-ed in the New York Post rather than a Texas-based outlet, which might better target the voters who actually decide Senate primaries. This raises questions about his true audience—whether he is reaching out to constituents or aiming to impress significant Republican figures who might convey his message to Trump.
In his writing, Cornyn drifted beyond merely aligning with Paxton’s commitment about the SAVE Act, mentioning how it would help Republicans counter “other aspects of the far left’s obstruction.”
Cornyn’s position on security and defense appears shaky to many conservatives; he has previously supported various Biden administration spending bills that some view as compromising border security. By choosing to publish in the New York Post, he seems intent on courting Trump and gaining favor in the Republican ranks, knowing that the voters ultimately hold the power.
