Cornyn Warns Of GOP 'Massacre' If Paxton Wins Texas Primary
Sen. John Cornyn warned that a March 3 primary loss to AG Ken Paxton could cost Republicans statewide races as Paxton remains front-runner despite over $60 million spent to block him.
Overview
Sen. John Cornyn warned that if state Attorney General Ken Paxton wins the March 3 Republican U.S. Senate primary, Republicans could suffer an "Election Day massacre" costing statewide races.
Paxton remains the apparent front-runner entering the March 3 primary despite more than $60 million spent by GOP-aligned groups to boost Cornyn and derail Paxton's bid.
Cornyn and Senate GOP leaders warned that Paxton's legal controversies would alienate moderates, while Paxton adviser Nick Maddux said Texans view Paxton as "a conservative warrior who will always fight for us."
A University of Houston survey of 550, margin of error ±4.18%, found both Cornyn and Paxton slightly ahead of Democrats and that Republican voters favored Paxton over Cornyn.
If no candidate wins outright, a runoff could favor Paxton because his energized conservative base is expected to turn out in lower-profile elections, and Cornyn says he needs to expand turnout beyond typical primary voters.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources center an "electability" narrative, amplifying Cornyn’s warnings about a "massacre" and Paxton’s "baggage" while giving Paxton’s turnout claims and poll caveats less prominence. Editorial choices—quote selection, repetition of charged terms, and arranging allegations before rebuttals—prioritize vulnerability and corruption themes over counterarguments.
Sources (3)
FAQ
Ken Paxton has been trailed by multiple legal and ethical issues, including securities fraud charges and impeachment by the GOP-controlled Texas House on bribery and abuse of office allegations, from which he has largely emerged unscathed[1]. Additionally, Paxton's wife, state Senator Angela Paxton, filed for divorce on "biblical grounds" after accusing him of infidelity[1]. Cornyn and GOP leaders argue these controversies could alienate moderate voters in a general election[2], though Paxton's adviser counters that Texans view him as "a conservative warrior."[2]
More than $60 million has been spent by GOP-aligned groups to boost Cornyn and derail Paxton's bid[2]. Notably, former Texas Governor Rick Perry chairs the Lone Star Freedom Project, which has already spent almost $18 million boosting Cornyn against Paxton[1]. Perry vowed to spend "whatever we need" for Cornyn in this primary[1].
A University of Houston survey found that Republican voters favored Paxton over Cornyn, suggesting strong support among the GOP base despite establishment opposition[2]. Additionally, if no candidate wins outright in the March 3 primary, a runoff could favor Paxton because his energized conservative base is expected to turn out in lower-profile elections, while Cornyn says he needs to expand turnout beyond typical primary voters[2]. Paxton positions himself as ideologically aligned with President Trump's MAGA movement, portraying Cornyn as an establishment relic out of step with the base[1].
Cornyn argues that Paxton's nomination could threaten the new red congressional seats Texas Republicans drew to pad their slim House majority, warning that legal and ethical controversies surrounding Paxton would alienate moderate voters needed to win statewide races[1]. Cornyn stated: "We haven't lost a statewide election in Texas since 1994, but we could this year if the wrong person is at the top of the ticket."[1] This suggests his concern is that Paxton's controversial background would depress Republican turnout or increase Democratic crossover voting in November.
No. President Donald Trump refused to endorse a candidate in the GOP primary for the Senate election in Texas, which has been described as a "shocking lack of commitment" in the race[3]. This absence of Trump's endorsement is notable given Paxton's positioning of himself as aligned with Trump's MAGA movement and Cornyn's establishment Republican background.
History
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