Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, and incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, have clashed over the primary race for the Senate seat, with Hunt accusing Cornyn of betrayal by the GOP. Hunt, who recently entered the race, criticized Cornyn for his alleged anti-Trump voting record, citing Truth Social posts and reposts from Trump from 2023. Hunt claims that Cornyn’s efforts to maintain his position have been insufficient, with 20% of the Texas electorate remaining undecided. Hunt’s campaign is positioning itself as a true conservative alternative, vying against Cornyn and Ken Paxton for the Republican nomination.
Cornyn’s campaign has responded to Hunt’s accusations by highlighting his close voting alignment with Trump, with senior advisor Matt Mackowiak noting that Cornyn has voted with Trump 99.3% of the time. Mackowiak also pointed out that Hunt has missed 27% of House votes this year when Trump needed support, contrasting with Cornyn’s consistent support for the former president. Hunt, however, has dismissed these claims, calling them a ‘flat out lie’ and accusing Cornyn of being one of the most liberal senators on the Republican side. Hunt has also referenced Trump’s past criticism of Cornyn, including remarks about his stance on gun control, suggesting that Cornyn is part of a ‘RINO’ group that supports gun control measures.
The race for the Senate seat is regarded as a crucial moment for the GOP in Texas, with Hunt vying against Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton. Hunt has emphasized that his focus is on conservatism and Texas values rather than personal achievement, stating that voters should judge him based on his character and views on conservatism. The contest has drawn significant attention, with the GOP’s internal dynamics and the potential impact on the party’s future in Texas being central themes. As the primary approaches, the race is expected to remain contentious, with both candidates leveraging their positions on Trump and party loyalty to sway voters.