Cornyn: Paxton allegations ‘just the tip of the iceberg'
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in an interview published on Friday suggested the allegations that fueled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's (R) impeachment inquiry — which ultimately failed — were 'just the tip of the iceberg.'
Speaking to The New York Times, Cornyn placed emphasis on the importance of character as he vies for reelection next year in the Senate GOP primary against Paxton.
'I'm willing to bet my career and my future and this job on my belief that character does matter still,' Cornyn said, suggesting that for Paxton believed instead 'that he can get away with a whole litany of misbehavior and corruption that should disqualify him from the job.'
Paxton was acquitted in the Texas state legislature's impeachment inquiry in September 2023, which had alleged that Paxton had 'used, misused, or failed to use his official powers in a manner calculated to subvert the lawful operation of the government of the State of Texas and obstruct the fair and impartial administration of justice.'
The allegations particularly suggested Paxton was inappropriately helping Paxton donor Nate Paul.
Asked about Cornyn's remarks, Paxton told the Times in a statement that Cornyn 'is peddling a new fake lie every week because he is down' in polling.
Paxton also added that Cornyn's attacks 'can't change the fact that he worked with Joe Biden to take away our gun rights' – a nod to Cornyn's involvement in a bipartisan gun safety bill that was signed into law by former President Biden and which sparked criticism among some Texas Republicans.
Republicans are bracing for a nasty primary between the two men – one that could potentially offer an opening to Democrats in Texas as the race shows only greater signs of divisiveness and personal attacks.
One Republican-aligned poll and one public poll from the Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center at Texas Southern University have shown Cornyn trailing Paxton in a GOP primary. However, both showed Cornyn faring better than Paxton in a general election.
Cornyn's campaign released a slew of ads earlier this week, first shared with The Hill, accusing Paxton of 'funding the left,' citing grant money his office gave different Texas entities.
Meanwhile, Paxton's allies have hit back at the campaign's allegations, suggesting they're false, and have reminded voters that Cornyn has previously criticized Trump; the president hasn't weighed in on the primary between the two men.
Noting other Republicans have similarly recanted past criticism of Trump, Cornyn told the Times 'I was wrong and President Trump was right, obviously.'
The Hill has reached out to Paxton's campaign for additional comment.
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