Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) launched a Senate campaign on Monday, challenging Sen. John Cornyn‘s (R-TX) reelection campaign, despite appeals from the National Republican Senatorial Committee to stand down.
Cornyn is already facing an intense and bitter primary battle from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, but Hunt’s entrance into the race could further complicate the senator’s path to winning the primary.
“The U.S. Senate race in Texas must be about more than a petty feud between two men who have spent months trading barbs. With my candidacy, this race will finally be about what’s most important – Texas,” Hunt said in a statement.
The Texas congressman claimed he is the better candidate to defeat the scandal-tainted Paxton in a primary and hold the seat for the Republican Party during next year’s midterm elections. Last month, Cornyn filed an open records request to determine whether Paxton used taxpayer funds to pay for trips to meet his alleged mistress.
Notably, Cornyn has a somewhat distant relationship with President Donald Trump, unlike Paxton, who remains close to the president.
Trump has not yet issued an endorsement. But Hunt was among the high-profile black lawmakers who served as a surrogate for Trump during the 2024 presidential cycle. Hunt has held meetings with Trump‘s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, and political director James Blair in preparation for the run.
“I will ensure this campaign centers on what truly matters — Texas families, the protection of American energy, the security of our border, and the safety of every community across our great state,” he continued.
Hunt’s campaign released a nearly three-minute video featuring testimonials from his family, allies, and Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) touting his military background and readiness to serve as a possible senator.
“He knows how important saving this country is, and I know that’s why he’s willing to sacrifice so much,” Crane said in the video. “As a veteran, you’re used to serving a mission that’s much greater than yourself.”
However, the NRSC, led by Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), is not as enthusiastic about Hunt’s campaign.
“John Cornyn is a battle-tested conservative who continues to be a leader in delivering President Trump’s agenda in the U.S. Senate and he’s the best candidate to keep Texas in the Republican Senate Majority,” Joanna Rodriguez, the group’s communications director, said in a statement. “Now that Wesley has chosen personal ambition over holding President Trump’s House Majority there will be a full vetting of his record. Senator Cornyn’s conservative record of accomplishment stands tall against Wesley’s.”
Similarly, the Cornyn campaign attacked Hunt’s ambitious bid for a seat in the upper chamber in a statement.
“Senator Cornyn has soared ahead in the latest polling and will win this election,” said Matt Mackowiak, a Cornyn campaign senior adviser. “Wesley Hunt is a legend in his own mind. No one is happier this morning than the national Democrats who are watching Wesley continue his quixotic quest for relevancy, costing tens of millions of dollars that will endanger the Trump agenda from being passed.”
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David Sivak contributed to this report.