Texas Senate nominee Ken Paxton is saying in public that he wants Sen. John Cornyn’s support—but behind closed doors, there’s reason to believe he thinks the fellow Republican is rooting for him to crater. In audio from a Sept. 24 Washington fundraiser obtained by CNN, the state attorney general is heard saying Cornyn is “clearly not helping. He wants me to lose.” He adds that Cornyn told a diner in Dallas that Paxton “is gonna lose” and that Republicans “need to learn” their choices have consequences. Cornyn’s camp denies the restaurant story, with adviser Rob Jesmer saying the exchange “did not happen” and noting Cornyn has pledged only to support the GOP ticket.
The leak is the latest in a string of recordings from the same event that have forced Paxton onto defense as he faces Democrat James Talarico in a tight, nine-figure race that could help decide Senate control. Polls show Paxton losing some non-MAGA Republicans after a brutal primary in which Cornyn, a longtime critic who once called Paxton’s legal troubles an embarrassment, was defeated. President Trump, who powered Paxton’s runoff win and rallied with him in San Antonio this week, says he has “no regrets” about his endorsement. But the nominee may not have appreciated the president’s post on his way back to the White House. Trump suggested Talarico “immediately report to a Debate Stage” to face Paxton, per the AP. Talarico has challenged Paxton to debate, but the Republican has been silent.