Senate GOP circles the wagons around John Cornyn
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Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) speaks with the press. Photo: Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images
Senate GOP leadership has rushed to show support for Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) as he officially faces a serious primary challenge from state Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Why it matters: Cornyn has the GOP campaign operation and an enviable fundraising network on his side. The wild card will be where President Trump and key MAGA influencers land.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and National Republican Senatorial Committee chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.) have already urged Trump to endorse Cornyn, as CNN first reported.
- GOP operatives have warned the White House that if Paxton gets on the ballot rather than Cornyn, Democrats would have a better chance of picking up the seat — and even taking the majority, a source familiar tells Axios.
Driving the news: "He's a proven fighter, man of faith, and essential part of the Republican Senate Majority," Scott said in a statement on Wednesday, after Paxton's announcement that he would run.
- The GOP Senate campaign arm typically backs incumbents, and Scott told Axios at a recent event the committee again intends to get involved in every primary.
- In addition to Cornyn, Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) are expected to draw more MAGA primary challengers this cycle.
Zoom in: Thune backed Cornyn immediately after the senator announced his reelection bid.
- The heavy-hitting Senate Leadership Fund quickly followed.
- "The Senate Leadership Fund fully intends on seeing [Cornyn] reelected next November," SLF chair Cory Gardner said Wednesday.
What to watch: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said he is staying neutral, rather than banding with leadership to back his Texas colleague.
- "Both John and Ken are friends of mine," Cruz told reporters on Wednesday. "I have worked closely with both of them. I respect them both and I trust the voters of Texas to make that decision."
- There are signs Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) is also readying to launch a bid for the seat.
Between the lines: Paxton is a genuine Trump ally and is eager to hit Cornyn for being a Washington establishment figure rather than true MAGA.
- Cornyn intends to hit Paxton for his history of scandals, already calling him a "fraud."
- Cornyn has had a complicated history with the president, though he made significant efforts to strengthen the relationship when he was running against Thune to be Senate GOP leader last year.
