{"id":257749,"date":"2026-04-20T10:45:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T10:45:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/257749\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T10:45:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T10:45:08","slug":"a-qa-with-ken-paxton-and-john-cornyn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/257749\/","title":{"rendered":"A Q&A with Ken Paxton and John Cornyn"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s note: This is an updated version of one of our primary surveys featuring candidates in the Democratic and Republican primaries for U.S. Senate and attorney general. This Q&A has been edited since it first ran before the March primary <\/a>to remove Rep. Wesley Hunt,<\/a> who did not advance to the runoff. See all of our resources for voting in the Texas primary runoffs here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In a rare intraparty clash of political heavyweights, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn<\/a> is fighting to extend his career in the May 26 Republican primary runoff against Attorney General Ken Paxton<\/a> after no candidate won more than half of the votes during the primary.<\/p>\n

Neither candidate responded to our questionnaire ahead of the March primaries, despite repeated efforts by Tribune reporters to seek their participation. In their absence, the Tribune filled in the candidates\u2019 responses, where possible, based on their past public comments and relevant voting histories.<\/p>\n

Both candidates have fashioned themselves as close allies of President Donald Trump, who has so far refused to endorse in the contest. They have not participated in a debate and are not expected to do so before the election.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The race has generated millions of dollars in outside ad spending, most of it from Cornyn\u2019s allies in Senate GOP leadership and around the state, who have been open about their concerns that Paxton \u2014 a hardline conservative who has battled scandal through his 11 years as attorney general \u2014 would be vulnerable to a Democratic upset in the general election. Paxton, meanwhile, has argued that Texas\u2019 senior senator is not conservative enough and has lost touch with the party\u2019s grassroots.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The U.S. Senate currently has 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats, with Republican Vice President JD Vance able to cast tiebreaking votes. With Democrats attempting to flip control of the chamber during the November midterm elections, Republicans likely cannot afford to lose Texas \u2014 making the choice of nominee all the more significant. A Democratic flip would simplify the minority party\u2019s path to 51 seats and give Texas Democrats their first statewide win since 1994.<\/p>\n

U.S. senators are elected to six-year terms in Congress\u2019 100-member upper chamber. They vote on critical federal legislation, from annual spending bills to military policy to ratifying treaties. Presidential Cabinet and judicial appointments must be confirmed by the Senate.<\/p>\n

Question topics \"U.S. <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0 Campaign finance: <\/p>\n

Total raised this cycle: $18.8 million Total spent this cycle: $23.6 million Cash on hand as of March 31: $8.2 million <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0 Top outside spending this cycle, according to AdImpact: <\/p>\n

Lone Star Freedom Project: $17.8 million Texans for a Conservative Majority: $26.7 million One Nation: $10.9 million <\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfe2 Experience:<\/p>\n

U.S. senator<\/a> since 2003, making him the 11th-longest-serving member of the chamber<\/p>\n

Served as Senate Republican whip from 2013 to 2019, the second-highest-ranking position in the GOP conference<\/p>\n

Longtime member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, giving him significant influence over federal judicial appointments<\/p>\n

Served one term as Texas attorney general, becoming the first Republican to hold that office in over a century<\/p>\n

Previously served as district judge in San Antonio and justice on the Texas Supreme Court<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udce3 Endorsements:<\/p>\n

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota<\/p>\n

U.S. Reps. Jake Ellzey, R-Midlothian, Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth, Nathaniel Moran, R-Tyler, Michael McCaul, R-Austin, Pete Sessions, R-Waco, Randy Weber, R-Galveston, Roger Williams, R-Willow Park<\/p>\n

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry<\/p>\n

National Border Patrol Council<\/p>\n

Texas Alliance for Life<\/p>\n

Texas Farm Bureau<\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddde\ufe0f In the news:<\/p>\n

\"Texas Ken Paxton <\/p>\n

Texas attorney general <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0 Campaign finance: <\/p>\n

Total raised this cycle (since April): $7.7 million Total spent this cycle (since April): $4.9 million Cash on hand as of March. 31: $2.6 million <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0 \u00a0Top outside spending, according to AdImpact: <\/p>\n

Lone Star Liberty PAC: $2.2 million <\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfe2 Experience:<\/p>\n

As attorney general, has spearheaded conservative legal challenges to the Obama and Biden administrations on immigration policy, environmental regulations, health care and LGBTQ+ rights<\/p>\n

Served in Texas House for 10 years and Texas Senate for two years before becoming attorney general, representing McKinney area in North Texas<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udce3 Endorsements:<\/p>\n

U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Flower Mound<\/p>\n

Former Texas GOP Chair Matt Rinaldi<\/p>\n

Gun Owners of America<\/p>\n

Texas comptroller nominee and former state Sen. Don Huffines<\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddde\ufe0f In the news:<\/p>\n

Q&A<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s note: These responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length. Minor changes have been made, when necessary, to correct grammatical or spelling errors and ensure the text conforms with Tribune style.<\/p>\n

Some Republicans, including Sen. Ted Cruz, want to bar states from regulating artificial intelligence, or AI, arguing that a patchwork of state rules \u2014 instead of a federal approach \u2014 would hinder innovation and disadvantage U.S.-based companies. Should the federal government preempt states from regulating AI? \"U.S. . <\/p>\n

Cornyn <\/p>\n

Cornyn has not taken a public stance on an AI moratorium, only commenting <\/a> that he was \u201cdoubtful\u201d such a provision would survive a procedural challenge over its inclusion in Republicans\u2019 budget mega-bill, where all components must relate to spending or revenue. He voted <\/a> in favor of stripping a 10-year moratorium on state AI regulation from the mega-bill, which passed via amendment by a 99-1 vote, as senators tried to work out a deal. <\/p>\n

\"Texas <\/p>\n

Paxton <\/p>\n

The Tribune could not find public comments from Paxton about proposed AI preemption. As attorney general, Paxton has investigated <\/a> AI chatbot platforms. <\/p>\n

Earlier this year, the Trump administration established a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications, which allows skilled workers to legally immigrate to the U.S. Do you support eliminating or further restricting H-1B visas? \"U.S. . <\/p>\n

Cornyn <\/p>\n

The Tribune could not find public comments from Cornyn on the future of the H-1B visa. <\/p>\n

\"Texas <\/p>\n

Paxton <\/p>\n

In a November appearance on conservative influencer Benny Johnson\u2019s podcast, Paxton was asked where he stands on ending the H-1B visa. Paxton did not directly address the issue, but noted his record suing the Biden administration over immigration-related issues. <\/p>\n

\u201cI want legal immigration,\u201d Paxton said later in the appearance. \u201cI\u2019m not opposed to making decisions about people that we need to come to this country to help us, in whatever area we\u2019re in need, whatever industry we need help in. But it\u2019s got to be decided by Congress.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cOur immigration laws work if we follow them,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n

In January, Paxton announced <\/a> his office was investigating three North Texas businesses for potential H-1B visa fraud. <\/p>\n

The 2025 expiration of the Affordable Care Act\u2019s enhanced premium tax credits is projected to increase premiums under the ACA and lead to hundreds of thousands of Texans dropping their coverage. Did you support allowing the credits to expire? \"U.S. <\/p>\n

Cornyn <\/p>\n

In a December floor speech <\/a> , Cornyn said that any clean extension of the tax credits, that does not address issues such as fraud, would be a \u201cdirty bill\u201d. Cornyn said <\/a> he would prefer a proposal that would redirect subsidies to individuals\u2019 health savings accounts rather than being paid to insurers. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that these subsidies are rife with fraud,\u201d Cornyn said. <\/p>\n

Cornyn said he wanted to work with other senators on a solution but was worried that Democrats hoped to run on the subsidy problem in the midterms. <\/p>\n

\u201cI understand that Texans need access to affordable health care, but this is not it,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\"Texas <\/p>\n

Paxton <\/p>\n

The Tribune could not find public comments from Paxton about his stance on the expiring ACA tax credits. But as attorney general, Paxton has gone after <\/a> the ACA in court numerous times and has long opposed the law. <\/p>\n

A proposal to end the war in Ukraine, negotiated between the Trump administration and Russia, would, among other requirements, compel Kyiv to surrender land to Moscow. Would you support a peace plan that requires Ukraine to cede territory to Russia? \"U.S. <\/p>\n

Cornyn <\/p>\n

Cornyn has voted in favor of U.S. assistance to Ukraine numerous times since Russia\u2019s 2022 invasion. During Trump\u2019s second term, he has praised the President\u2019s efforts to end the war. In March, he said <\/a> a lasting peace would require both sides to make concessions and that \u201cthere must be real and tangible and enforceable security assurances for Ukraine.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"Texas <\/p>\n

Paxton <\/p>\n

Paxton has criticized Cornyn for voting <\/a> to send assistance to Ukraine but the Tribune could not find public comments from him on the specifics of what a peace proposal should look like. <\/p>\n

A bipartisan group of House members is pushing for a vote<\/a> on a bill to ban lawmakers from buying and selling individual stocks. Would you support an effort to ban members of Congress from owning or trading individual stocks?\u00a0 \"U.S. <\/p>\n

Cornyn <\/p>\n

In a January 2026 press conference, Cornyn noted that he does not own individual stocks and that he would support a proposal that focuses on the stockholding of Congress members themselves. But he cautioned that some of the proposals being debated in the House are overly broad. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to be careful that we don\u2019t want to discourage people who\u2019ve enjoyed a certain level of financial success from actually seeking public office by forcing them to sell their stock portfolio, perhaps at a significant loss,\u201d Cornyn said. \u201cI\u2019m generally supportive\u2026but the details matter.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"Texas <\/p>\n

Paxton <\/p>\n

The Tribune could not find public comments from Paxton on House proposals to ban lawmakers from buying and selling stocks. According to his personal financial disclosure, he does not own individual stock. However, Paxton does have a blind trust, and the Wall Street Journal reported <\/a> that in 2020, the trustee texted Paxton a list of eight stock buys worth $618,000, which experts said potentially violated rules around how such trusts are managed. <\/p>\n

President Trump is considering pulling the U.S. out of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a free-trade agreement between the three nations negotiated during his first term. Should the U.S. withdraw? \"U.S. <\/p>\n

Cornyn <\/p>\n

The Tribune could not find public comments from Cornyn on withdrawing from the USMCA. When the agreement was first ratified in 2020, Cornyn praised it <\/a> as a \u201cbig win for all three countries involved\u201d and one that would bring \u201cserious benefits\u201d to the state and national economy. <\/p>\n

\"Texas <\/p>\n

Paxton <\/p>\n

The Tribune could not find public comments from Paxton on the USMCA. <\/p>\n

President Trump has proposed reviving the 50-year mortgage to promote broader homeownership. Do you support this proposal? \"U.S. <\/p>\n

Cornyn <\/p>\n

The Tribune could not find public comments from Cornyn on Trump\u2019s 50-year mortgage idea. In December 2025, Cornyn introduced a bipartisan bill <\/a> , the More Homes on the Market Act, to amend the tax code to incentivize homeowners to sell their homes, increasing housing supply. <\/p>\n

\"Texas <\/p>\n

Paxton <\/p>\n

The Tribune could not find public comments from Paxton on the 50-year mortgage proposal. <\/p>\n

President Trump announced a plan in 2025\u00a0 to make in vitro fertilization more accessible by working with pharmaceutical companies to lower the cost of common IVF drugs and encouraging employers to offer IVF treatments as part of their insurance plans. Do you support that plan? \"U.S. <\/p>\n

Cornyn <\/p>\n

Cornyn supports access to IVF, backing Republican legislation by Sens. Ted Cruz and Katie Britt that would revoke Medicare dollars from states that ban the procedure. The Texas Tribune was unable to find public comments from Cornyn on Trump\u2019s plan. <\/p>\n

\"Texas <\/p>\n

Paxton <\/p>\n

The Tribune could not find public comments by Paxton on IVF. He has vigorously defended Texas\u2019 near-total abortion ban, which defines an \u201cunborn child\u201d as \u201can individual living member of the homo sapiens species from fertilization until birth, including the entire embryonic and fetal stages of development.\u201d IVF involves the routine disposal of frozen embryos, though some lawmakers who have backed fetal personhood also support IVF. <\/p>\n

The Dignity Act is a bipartisan House bill that would provide for the construction of physical barriers at the border, mandate employer use of E-Verify, expedite asylum processing, end catch-and-release, provide work authorization and protection from deportation to non-criminal undocumented immigrants who have been in the U.S. for five years, and offer permanent resident status to Dreamers. Would you support this framework?\u00a0 \"U.S. <\/p>\n

Cornyn <\/p>\n

The Tribune could not find public comments from Cornyn on the Dignity Act. But Cornyn has successfully pushed for measures that reimbursed Texas $12 billion for its border security efforts, and that allowed Texas to invest millions in border infrastructure and to reserve highway funds for border infrastructure projects. Cornyn previously introduced or backed legislation to offer permanent legal status to DACA recipients, expedite asylum processing, tighten asylum standards, restrict parole, mandate employer use of E-Verify, build a border wall, increase hiring at Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, add immigration judges and criminalize visa overstays. <\/p>\n

\"Texas <\/p>\n

Paxton <\/p>\n

The Tribune could not find public comments from Paxton on the Dignity Act. As attorney general, he led lawsuits to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, end catch-and-release and force the Biden administration to continue building a wall along the southern border. <\/p>\n

The \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d Act ended tax credits that renewable energy producers and developers could claim to finance projects, including in Texas. Do you support the move to scrap these tax credits? \"U.S. <\/p>\n

Cornyn <\/p>\n

Cornyn voted in favor of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He has spoken favorably in the past about Texas\u2019 \u201call of the above\u201d approach to energy, including the growth of wind and solar projects in the state, while also backing Trump\u2019s efforts to expand oil and natural gas production. <\/p>\n

\"Texas <\/p>\n

Paxton <\/p>\n

Paxton praised Congress\u2019 passage <\/a> of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, calling it \u201cHISTORICAL legislation that\u2019s going to unleash economic growth.\u201d As attorney general, Paxton sued BlackRock, State Street and Vanguard, accusing them of trying to \u201cartificially manipulate the coal market\u201d by working to move away from coal. Paxton also opposed federal climate regulations under the Biden administration. <\/p>\n

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 allows states to use grant funding for crisis intervention programs, including certain red flags; narrowed the \u201cboyfriend loophole\u201d to prevent individuals convicted of domestic violence in a dating relationship from possessing firearms; expanded background checks for gun purchasers between the ages of 18 and 21. Would you vote to repeal any of those provisions? \"U.S. . <\/p>\n

Cornyn <\/p>\n

Cornyn was one of the negotiators on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 and voted in favor of its passage. <\/p>\n

\"Texas <\/p>\n

Paxton <\/p>\n

Paxton has attacked Cornyn repeatedly for his role in passing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Though The Texas Tribune could not find public comments from Paxton on whether he would support repealing the law, he has condemned <\/a> the measure as infringing on Texans\u2019 Second Amendment rights. <\/p>\n

Disclosure: Texas Farm Bureau has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune\u2019s journalism. Find a complete\u00a0list of them here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Editor\u2019s note: This is an updated version of one of our primary surveys featuring candidates in the Democratic…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":257750,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[2137,56510,2671,288,3309,1967,287,27,29,293,28,16816,6748],"class_list":{"0":"post-257749","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-texas","8":"tag-2026-elections","9":"tag-2026-primary-explainer","10":"tag-congress","11":"tag-elections","12":"tag-john-cornyn","13":"tag-ken-paxton","14":"tag-politics","15":"tag-texas","16":"tag-texas-headlines","17":"tag-texas-legislature","18":"tag-texas-news","19":"tag-uncategorized","20":"tag-well-b-homepage"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/257749","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=257749"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/257749\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/257750"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=257749"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=257749"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=257749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}