Texas Attorney General Paxton Challenges Senator Cornyn in Polls
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is narrowing the gap with Senator John Cornyn in the latest polls, just ahead of the upcoming primary next year. Paxton discussed this development on Saturday during an interview with Matt Boyle.
“It’s pretty straightforward,” Paxton said, referring to Cornyn’s long tenure. “After being in office for 23 years, constituents notice when their needs are sidelined in favor of what Mitch McConnell wants.”
Recent polling indicates that Paxton, a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump, leads Cornyn by a significant margin as the senator seeks his fifth term. Another poll released Saturday shows Cornyn trailing Paxton by 17 points in a direct matchup.
“His support for gun restrictions, which Joe Biden lauded, hasn’t sat well with Texans. Not to mention Trump’s comments calling him a ‘RINO,’ and concerns about his stance on border security. Texans are becoming aware of these issues,” Paxton commented.
According to Paxton, Cornyn’s campaign does not resonate with the priorities of Texans.
“We’re not Vermont or Maine,” he asserted. “Senators like Ted Cruz represent conservative values consistently. Voters want their representatives to reflect their wishes, not just go along with Washington’s trends,” Paxton remarked during the interview.
The attorney general’s views align closely with Trump’s agenda. Paxton reflected on his challenges since being elected, saying, “Right after my election, I faced serious charges—three felonies—despite not even having a speeding ticket. It was overwhelming.”
While he navigated lawsuits during his time in office, he noted a bipartisan effort to push him out, primarily from those wanting a less contentious election environment.
“Some Democrats and certain Republicans wanted me out so they could have an easier candidate, like George P. Bush,” he said. “Their strategy expects candidates to fund their campaigns heavily.”
Paxton expressed support for Trump’s proposed legislative package addressing priorities such as immigration and taxation. “Many don’t realize the benefits included in this bill,” he mentioned, noting that it proposes cutting expenditures by $1.6 trillion—an unprecedented reduction. It also aims to enhance border security, something he feels passionately about.
“Not only does this bill aim to reduce costs associated with illegal immigration, it takes current measures to a new level,” he explained, adding that it extends the 2017 tax cuts, which he believes have positively impacted the economy.
During Biden’s leadership, as Texas faced an influx of immigration due to policy shifts, Paxton criticized McConnell and Senator James Lankford for their bipartisan efforts to adjust immigration laws, which he felt undesirably affected legal immigration.
After Trump voiced opposition to the bill, Paxton remarked on McConnell’s subsequent actions, stating that it is concerning for Texans, given the implications of lax immigration laws.
“Perhaps it’s a lack of understanding from senators who aren’t from border states, but Cornyn’s indecisiveness impacts us, both financially and with crime,” he said, highlighting how critical these issues are for Texas.
Though Trump’s initiatives could bolster border security, Paxton acknowledged that Cornyn’s incumbency would face staunch opposition in the upcoming election. He urged voters to support his campaign, recognizing the advantages incumbents have in fundraising.
“Incumbents generally draw significant financial support from Washington, which creates a challenge,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for grassroots assistance.
