Cornyn warns – Hours after President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the GOP primary runoff, Sen. John Cornyn told Texas voters that Paxton would be a liability and “likely lose” to Democrat James Talarico. Cornyn said he has not spoken with Trump
When Sen. John Cornyn stepped to a microphone in Lubbock on Tuesday, May 20, the question wasn’t about strategy or policy. It was simple: had he talked with President Donald Trump after the president’s endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Cornyn’s answer was a blunt no—and the thrust of his message was sharper still. At the groundbreaking event in Lubbock, he warned Texas voters that in the November election, Paxton would be “an albatross around the neck of our candidates” and “would likely lose to James Talarico.”
“I believe that in terms of our success in November, that Ken Paxton would be an albatross around the neck of our candidates and would likely lose to James Talarico,” Cornyn said Tuesday, May 20. “I think we’ve come too far and worked too hard to risk that.”
The runoff between Cornyn and Paxton has grown increasingly bitter, with both men publishing personal and political attack ads against one another. A May poll shows Paxton leading Cornyn—but only narrowly.
Cornyn’s warning landed with urgency because it wasn’t delivered as distant campaign talk. He also tried to frame the dispute as something Texans would have to settle at the ballot box, pointing to what he called the stakes for down-ballot Republican races in the November general election.
Asked again whether he had spoken with Trump following the endorsement, Cornyn said he had not. He added that while he didn’t receive the “highly sought-after endorsement,” he was not planning to step back.
“I know who gets to choose our senators, and it’s the people of Texas and there’s no substitute for that,” Cornyn said.
In the same appearance, Cornyn acknowledged the reality of Republican infighting while insisting it would have to close the moment voters deliver their decision.
He said Republicans have “family fights” within the party but ultimately unify to win the November General Election.
The endorsement controversy has its own backstory. Trump said in his endorsement post that Cornyn is a “good man,” but cited the senator’s lack of support for him when “times were tough,” along with Cornyn’s late backing during Trump’s 2024 presidential run, as reasons for endorsing Paxton instead.
Cornyn responded to those points by saying he has worked closely with Trump during both presidential terms and voted with him more than 99% of the time. He also pointed to what he said was a consistent personal relationship during the race.
“He has consistently called me a friend in this race,” the statement read. “It is now time for Texas Republican voters to decide if they want a strong nominee to help our GOP candidates down ballot and defeat Talarico in November. or a weak nominee who jeopardizes everything we care about. I trust the Republican voters of Texas.”.
John Cornyn Ken Paxton Donald Trump endorsement James Talarico Texas Senate race GOP primary runoff Texas politics attack ads November general election Republican infighting