Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a sharp critique against Sen. John Cornyn, labeling him a Washington insider who has spent decades in the Senate while opposing key conservative priorities.
According to a Breitbart report, Paxton made these remarks during an appearance on Breitbart News Saturday, where he expressed his intent to challenge Cornyn in a primary election. He highlighted Cornyn's long tenure and accused him of failing to deliver meaningful results for Texas.
Paxton pointed out that Cornyn has been in the Senate for 23 years and is now seeking a fifth term, a milestone no other Texan has achieved in that role. He emphasized that Cornyn has held office since Paxton's college days, noting that Paxton himself is now 62 years old.
Paxton argued that Cornyn has not accomplished significant goals during his time in Washington and instead prioritizes insider interests over those of his constituents. He added that Cornyn avoids discussing his own record and has even drawn comparisons to President Donald Trump despite allegedly despising him.
The attorney general specifically criticized Cornyn for pushing gun control measures, referencing a controversy where Cornyn claimed he did not recall collaborating with Democrats on legislation signed by President Joe Biden. Records show that on June 25, 2022, Biden enacted the gun control bill that Cornyn helped shape, and Biden publicly thanked Cornyn by name during a White House event two weeks later.
Chris McNutt, president of Texas Gun Rights, commented on the issue, suggesting that Cornyn's denial might stem from forgetfulness similar to Biden's at age 73. McNutt stated, “Perhaps at 73, Cornyn is starting to share more than just policy blunders with Biden; that creeping forgetfulness might explain why he’s also in denial about those abysmal polls showing AG Paxton wiping the floor with him.”
Paxton further accused Cornyn of insinuating support for amnesty through his advocacy for certain immigration policies. In June 2022, Cornyn indicated he would advance an immigration bill and described himself as a longtime backer of employment-based immigration.
This position has drawn scrutiny from conservatives who view it as too lenient on border security issues. Paxton tied this to broader concerns about Cornyn's reliability on immigration reform that aligns with Republican priorities.
McNutt's group has actively reminded Texas voters of what they see as Cornyn's missteps on gun rights and other issues. He added, “Texas Gun Rights is happy to remind Cornyn — and all pro-gun Texans — of his blunders.”
Paxton highlighted Cornyn's opposition to President Donald Trump's border wall plans as a key point of contention. In 2017, Cornyn publicly questioned the seriousness of Trump's wall proposal, suggesting it was not meant to be taken literally.
Cornyn stated at the time, “When I hear the president talk about the wall I think he’s speaking metaphorically.” This remark has been cited as evidence of Cornyn's reluctance to fully support stringent border security measures favored by Trump.
Paxton's comments came during his interview with host Matthew Boyle on Breitbart News Saturday, which airs on SiriusXM Patriot 125 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eastern. The discussion underscored Paxton's ambition to unseat Cornyn in the upcoming primary by portraying him as out of touch with Texas values.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who aims to primary Sen. John Cornyn, has accused the senator of being a Washington insider focused on gun control, amnesty hints, and resistance to President Donald Trump's border wall. This criticism arises from Cornyn's 23-year Senate tenure, during which Paxton claims he has prioritized Washington over Texas achievements.
Paxton, speaking on Breitbart News Saturday, emphasized Cornyn's pursuit of a fifth term as unprecedented in Texas history and a sign of entrenched insider status. Polls mentioned in related discussions suggest Paxton holds a strong position against Cornyn, potentially leading to a heated primary contest in the state.
The ongoing feud could influence Texas Republican dynamics, with groups like Texas Gun Rights actively opposing Cornyn's record on key issues. Future developments may include intensified campaigning as the primary approach, shaping voter perceptions on border security and gun rights.
