NYT: “Mr. Cornyn stood by his attacks on Mr. Paxton and said [...] he would not campaign or raise money for his primary opponent.”

Austin, Texas – Outgoing Senator John Cornyn is “[standing by his attacks]” on scandal-plagued, corrupt Ken Paxton and doubling down on his refusal to endorse him, according to a new interview with the New York Times today.

Cornyn isn’t the only one. Republicans across Texas are saying there is “not a chance in hell” they will vote for Ken Paxton because he is a “corrupt disgusting individual.” 

Read more about the fractures in the Texas GOP as they head into their convention this weekend:

New York Times: After Senate Loss, Cornyn Predicts ‘Miserable’ Final Two Years for Trump

June 11, 2026

By Carl Hulse

• “I think it is going to be a pretty bumpy ride for the next seven months,” Mr. Cornyn said during a wide-ranging conversation in his Capitol office as he reflected on the tumultuous Texas election[.]

• The more institutionalist incumbent…was always seen as a safer — and less expensive — general election bet than the tarnished Mr. Paxton.

• Mr. Cornyn stood by his attacks on Mr. Paxton and said that while he supported the party ticket, he would not campaign or raise money for his primary opponent — a loss for Mr. Paxton since Mr. Cornyn was a prolific fund-raiser.

• But he fears Republicans are in for a rough midterm and Mr. Trump for a difficult final two years, in part because of self-inflicted wounds such the president’s endorsement of Mr. Paxton putting the Texas seat at risk.

• “It’s going to make things harder, certainly more expensive in Texas, and make it harder around the country,” Mr. Cornyn said, predicting that Mr. Trump would come to regret his actions. “I don’t say that with any sort of desire for vengeance; I just think that’s the way it’s going to be. He’s going to have the most miserable two years of his life in the last two years of his term, I think, because I think November is going to be a disaster.”

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