Paxton Pulls Anti-Cornyn Ads as Trump Endorsement Deepens GOP Split in Texas Senate Race
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 26
Paxton Pulls Anti-Cornyn Ads as Trump Endorsement Deepens GOP Split in Texas Senate Race
7 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 26
Paxton said he will pull all negative ads against Cornyn in the runoff’s final days and redirect attacks toward Democrat James Talarico, while Cornyn refused and vowed to keep highlighting Paxton’s ethics issues.
Trump’s endorsement of Paxton has sharpened the clash, with the president calling Cornyn “VERY disloyal” and Texas and Washington Republicans warning the move is alienating lawmakers and major donors.
Polling shows a volatile race: a late April-early May University of Houston survey found a statistical deadlock, but later polls from a pro-Paxton super PAC and a Democratic-aligned group showed Paxton ahead by 11 and 12 points.
National Republicans fear a Paxton nomination would force heavy spending to defend a seat Cornyn has held since 2002, potentially draining resources from other battlegrounds as Talarico raises large sums and polls competitively.
What does the record $122 million primary spending reveal about the future of Texas statewide elections?