After calling Paxton an embarrassment who escaped accountability, Cornyn makes stunning reversal that shocks Texas Republicans

Texas – The bitter Texas Republican Senate primary ended with a dramatic twist last week as longtime Sen. John Cornyn, who spent months attacking Attorney General Ken Paxton over his scandals and legal troubles, pledged to support the very candidate he had repeatedly portrayed as unfit for office.

The stunning turn came just hours after Paxton defeated the four-term senator in a closely watched Republican runoff, ending Cornyn’s two-decade Senate career and delivering another major victory for President Donald Trump’s political influence inside the GOP.

Paxton entered the race carrying the weight of years of controversy, including legal battles, investigations, an impeachment by the Republican-controlled Texas House, and past felony fraud charges. Throughout the campaign, Cornyn made those issues a central part of his argument against Paxton, warning voters that the attorney general’s record made him a risky choice for Republicans.

In one of his sharpest criticisms before polls closed, Cornyn left little doubt about how he viewed his opponent.

“I think it’s time for accountability,” the senator told CNN’s Manu Raju. “He’s gotten away with so much for so long and not been held accountable for it. But I think he is an embarrassment, his misbehavior, and he’s completely unrepentant. I mean, it’s one thing for a person to make a mistake and then say, you know, ‘I’m sorry, I’ll do better next time.’ But that’s not Ken Paxton.”

Those remarks reflected months of attacks in which Cornyn tried to convince Republican voters that Paxton’s long list of controversies could jeopardize the party’s chances in a competitive general election.

A Defeat That Changed the Message

Despite Cornyn’s warnings, Republican voters overwhelmingly sided with Paxton.

The attorney general’s campaign received a major boost when Trump unexpectedly endorsed him late in the race. The president not only backed Paxton but also launched attacks against Cornyn, helping energize the MAGA base behind the challenger.

Many Republicans in Washington had expected Cornyn’s experience, fundraising strength, and extensive network of supporters to give him an advantage. Instead, Paxton’s victory highlighted the continued power of Trump’s endorsement and the loyalty many Republican primary voters still have to candidates aligned with the MAGA movement.

Then came the surprise.

Speaking to supporters after conceding defeat, Cornyn shifted away from the criticism that had defined much of the campaign and announced that he would support Paxton in November.

“I’ve spent most of my time in the Senate building the Republican party in Texas and in the U.S. Senate, and I’ve always supported the Republican ticket, and I intend to do so again in this general election,” he said. “I’ve said throughout this race that I trust the voters of Texas, and they’ve made their decision, and I must respect it.”

The statement immediately drew attention because it contrasted so sharply with the harsh assessments Cornyn had offered throughout the race.

Republicans Look Ahead to November

Paxton’s victory sends a clear signal about the current direction of the Texas Republican Party. While some GOP leaders had expressed concern about how his controversies could play in a statewide race, Republican primary voters appeared largely unmoved by those arguments.

The result also creates a new challenge for Democrats, who see an opportunity to compete in a state that has remained firmly Republican for decades. Texas state Rep. James Talarico is expected to be Paxton’s Democratic opponent, and some political observers believe the race could become more competitive than many initially expected.

At the same time, Paxton’s decisive primary win demonstrated that he retains strong support among Republican voters despite years of negative headlines.

Following the election, both Paxton and Talarico struck a respectful tone toward Cornyn. Each candidate thanked the departing senator for his years of public service and welcomed his supporters into their respective campaigns.

For Cornyn, the outcome marks the end of a lengthy Senate career. For Paxton, it represents a major political triumph after years of surviving scandals that many believed would end his political future.

And for Texas Republicans, it serves as another reminder that in today’s GOP, Trump’s endorsement remains one of the most powerful forces in politics—strong enough to defeat a veteran senator and ultimately earn his support in the very race that ended his career.