Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a primary challenge against longtime Sen. John Cornyn, setting the stage for a battle between two established Republican politicians. Paxton, known for his hard-line GOP stance, criticized Cornyn for seeking a fifth term and called for a change in Texas representation. In response, a campaign spokesperson for Cornyn defended his record and called Paxton a “fraud.”
Paxton, who has faced impeachment and legal challenges, has been a strong ally of former President Donald Trump, playing a key role in supporting Trump’s post-election efforts. The Republican primary now includes Paxton, Cornyn, and Rennie Mann, while former Rep. Colin Allred is the only Democrat in the race.
Cornyn, who has served in the Senate since 2002, previously held the position of state attorney general that Paxton currently holds. Before entering politics, Allred was an NFL player and drew national attention during his unsuccessful bid to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz in 2020.
Cornyn won his last Senate primary by a large margin in 2020. The upcoming election will offer Texans a choice between two well-known Republican candidates and a potential shake-up in their representation at the national level.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
