The race for Senator John Cornyn’s seat in Texas is heating up, with new candidate Rep. Wesley Hunt making strong statements against the incumbent. Hunt’s criticisms center on Cornyn’s alleged disconnect from the GOP base, particularly regarding his record on President Trump. “The GOP has left him,” Hunt claims, reflecting a sentiment of betrayal among some party members.
Hunt, who recently announced his candidacy, is unafraid to call out Cornyn for what he perceives as a failure to align with Trump’s agenda. In an interview with Fox News Digital, he noted, “John Cornyn has spent 35 million dollars over the course of the past few months to still find himself in third place.” This assertion underscores Cornyn’s precarious position in the race, polling in the low thirties, with a significant portion of undecided voters. Hunt sees this as an opportunity: “There’s still 20% of the electorate that’s undecided, which means that there’s clearly room for us.”
Hunt asserts he aims to provide a true conservative option to voters. He states plainly, “I’ve gotten into this race to give the true conservative Texan an option,” positioning himself in direct competition with Ken Paxton and suggesting that Cornyn is out of touch with party values. Hunt’s words come backed by a pointed challenge to Cornyn’s leadership: “Unfortunately for John Cornyn, he’s not going to make it. This party has left him.”
In response, Cornyn’s campaign hit back, branding Hunt a “show horse” who lacks substantial legislative impact. Senior adviser Matt Mackowiak defended Cornyn by emphasizing his voting record, claiming he aligned with Trump 99.3% of the time. This rebuttal raises questions about Hunt’s criticisms, especially given his own political history—Mackowiak noted, “Wesley Hunt voted for Hillary Clinton in 2008 and didn’t vote for Trump in November 2016.”
Hunt fired back at Cornyn’s defense. He challenged the accuracy of Cornyn’s claims, saying, “He has not stood with the president while he is trying to run ads.” Furthermore, he referenced Cornyn’s Liberty score, highlighting it as low and suggesting it reflects a broader pattern of unfaithfulness to conservative principles. “We also know that he is one of the most liberal senators of all the Senate on the Republican side,” Hunt continued, accusing Cornyn of siding with RINOs—Republicans In Name Only.
The dynamics of this primary have been marked by personal attacks and a push for clear distinctions between the candidates’ loyalty to Trump. Former President Trump himself has criticized Cornyn on social media for his compromises with Democrats on gun control and other issues. Hunt pointed to Trump’s comments describing Cornyn as “RINO” and “hopeless,” indicating that these labels resonate with a certain voter base that is increasingly intolerant of perceived betrayal. The potential backlash against Cornyn could motivate and mobilize voters who share these sentiments.
This contest not only reflects internal party tensions but also presents an opportunity for Hunt to become a historic figure in Texas. If elected, he would be the first Black statewide official. However, Hunt remains focused on issues over identity politics, stating, “What’s most important to me is the fact that I am an American.” He stresses that voters should evaluate him based on his conservative views and character, not the color of his skin.
As the primary approaches, the stakes grow higher. With rising tensions and disagreements on fundamental party values, both Cornyn and Hunt are poised for a tough contest. Hunt’s candidacy has reignited debates about loyalty and representation within the Republican Party, setting the stage for a fascinating electoral battle as they seek the trust of Texas voters.
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