When Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won the primary last week, defeating long-term Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), I reported on how Cornyn was gracious in defeat, promising to support the Republican ticket.
🚨 NOW: 23-year incumbent Sen. John Cornyn CONCEDES to Ken Paxton, and says he will support the Republican ticket this fall
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 27, 2026
"I've always supported the GOP ticket. I intend to do so again this general election."
Time for KEN PAXTON TO CRUSH James Talarico (D)! pic.twitter.com/otFrvqrXAp
That was good, and it was the right thing to do, particularly in the important race to beat James Talarico and hold onto the Senate for the Republicans.
READ MORE: The Texas Senate Runoff Just Delivered a Brutal Verdict for the GOP Establishment
Trump Praises Paxton, Delivers Perfect Nickname for Talarico - Once You See It, You Can't Unsee It
But then came a post from Cornyn's account on Tuesday that is raising eyebrows. This post was not gracious. At all.
Rut roh
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) June 2, 2026
Libertarian Ted Brown courts disaffected conservative voters in Texas’ U.S. Senate race – Houston Public Media https://t.co/wZ9ipRviE1
That does not look like "supporting the Republican ticket."
Many Republicans then responded to the post, saying this was why he lost.
But then came another Cornyn post from the same account. Despite the earlier post still being up, he termed a report about his post "fake news."
Fake news https://t.co/Pgq1ehNpvz
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) June 3, 2026
That got an X Community Note, which explained it was not "fake news" because the post is still there.
Then Cornyn tried to explain. "What is 'fake news' is the characterization that I am supporting or 'promoting' this candidate. I am not."
What is "fake news" is the characterization that I am supporting or "promoting" this candidate. I am not. https://t.co/dnjhAwg0FA
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) June 3, 2026
However, the report Cornyn was commenting on wasn't saying he was "promoting" the Libertarian; it said he shared an article promoting him.
But there's no question that Cornyn's posting "rut roh" about that article amplified that candidate, whether that was the intention or not. The "rut roh" was bad, whether Cornyn meant to promote him or not. Not a good look.
Of course, there's a simple solution for John Cornyn: Endorse Ken Paxton. Or at least he should say that he will continue to support the Republican ticket.
Bottom line? It will be a binary choice, and playing games can result in a bad Democratic candidate being elevated. We've already seen enough of James Talarico to know how problematic he would be for the state. If one truly cares about Texas, that is not the way to go.
READ MORE: Talarico Desperately Tries to Clean Up His 'Cringey Comments,' but Just Makes It Worse
Let's Go: Ken Paxton Opens General Election Campaign With a Not-So-Gentle Message for James Talarico
President Donald Trump has already met with Ken Paxton to kick things into high gear.
.@KenPaxtonTX and I had an incredible meeting with President @realDonaldTrump today in the Oval Office. The President loves Texas. #txlege pic.twitter.com/YTCkGOyrdr
— Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) June 3, 2026
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