Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) has launched a Senate campaign for the seat currently held by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), intensifying internal Republican conflicts in Texas. Cornyn faces a primary challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who entered the race despite ongoing legal and personal controversies.
Hunt announced his bid Monday, stating, “The time is NOW. For Faith. For Family. For Freedom. FOR TEXAS. I’m Wesley Hunt, and I’m running for Senate.” He argued that Cornyn, who has maintained a strained relationship with former President Donald Trump, lacks the strength to defeat Paxton in the general election. “What I’ve seen in polling over the past few months is people want an alternative, and I’m going to give it to them,” Hunt said in an Associated Press interview.
Senate Republican leaders, including Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Tim Scott (R-SC), have criticized Hunt’s decision, calling his campaign a “false narrative” fueled by personal ambition. Despite spending $6.5 million on Texas ads since April, Hunt trails behind Cornyn, who has received over $21 million in advertising support.
Hunt, a two-term congressman and former U.S. Army officer, emphasized his commitment to Texas, stating, “When Texans send me to the Senate, they’ll know exactly what they’re getting, a man who will always put Texas first.” He defended his candidacy against allegations of vanity, citing his military service and family life as motivations.
The three-way GOP race could force a runoff in May after the March 3 primary, with establishment Republicans fearing Hunt’s entry might inadvertently benefit Paxton. Senate Leadership Fund officials have urged support for Cornyn, calling Paxton a “weak candidate” who risks the seat in November.
Hunt’s campaign has drawn sharp criticism from Trump-aligned groups, with SLC communications director Chris Gustafson accusing him of prioritizing “personal ambition” over Trump’s agenda. The former president has yet to endorse a primary candidate.
