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Embattled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, teased a possible 2026 primary challenge to Texas Sen. John Cornyn after the lawmaker introduced his bid to succeed Minority Leader Mitch McConnell come November.
Paxton took to X, previously Twitter, Wednesday night time — prior to Cornyn revealing his intention to run for chief — addressing hypothesis about it. Paxton mentioned the senator would have problem remaining in his function “since he is anti-Trump, anti-gun, and will be focused on his highly competitive primary campaign in 2026.”
Despite Paxton’s declare, Cornyn endorsed former President Trump for president final month, calling on Republicans to rally round him.
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, left, teased a possible 2026 primary challenge to Texas Sen. John Cornyn. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle through Getty Images | Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The lawyer basic’s accusation of Cornyn being “anti-gun” is probably going a reference to his involvement in crafting and bolstering the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a gun reform invoice taken up following the Uvalde elementary college taking pictures within the Lone Star state. Cornyn pioneered the invoice alongside senators Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C.
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Paxton did not notice in his publish who could be competing in opposition to Cornyn in a primary, however he additionally hasn’t dismissed hypothesis he would challenge Cornyn. Representatives for Paxton didn’t reply to Fox News’ inquiries a few potential Senate run.
“Republicans deserve better in their next leader and Texans deserve another conservative Senator,” Paxton wrote on X.
“Hard to run from prison, Ken,” Cornyn posted to X shortly afterward, referencing Paxton’s authorized hassle. In April, the lawyer basic heads to trial on prices associated to securities fraud in a case that has been delayed since an preliminary indictment greater than eight years in the past. Paxton was acquitted late final 12 months of 16 articles of impeachment that alleged numerous acts of bribery and corruption following a extremely publicized Texas Senate trial.
After McConnell’s shock announcement Wednesday that he would step down as Republican Senate chief, Cornyn instructed reporters, “Not today,” noting the day “is about Mitch McConnell.” But, he added, “I’ve made no secret about my intentions.”
On Thursday morning, the Texas Republican introduced his bid for chief of the Republican convention.
“I am asking my Republican colleagues to give me the opportunity to succeed Leader McConnell,” Cornyn mentioned in a press release.
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“I believe the Senate is broken — that is not news to anyone,” he mentioned. “The good news is that it can be fixed, and I intend to play a major role in fixing it.”
Cornyn was the primary to announce his marketing campaign for the function, although a number of others are anticipated to be part of the race.
Paxton responded to the information on X, posing a ballot to his followers.
“John Cornyn has waved the white flag on election integrity, border security, protecting the 2nd amendment, and everything else constitutional conservatives care about. Do you think he’s conservative enough to lead Republicans in the Senate?” Paxton requested.
The ballot had obtained greater than 13,000 votes by the afternoon, with the overwhelming majority saying “No.”
Cornyn’s workplace declined to remark when reached by Fox News Digital.
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