A slew of Republican senators expressed disappointment about Trump’s endorsement of Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn in the Texas Senate runoff to NBC News this afternoon.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, told reporters as she entered the Senate GOP closed-door lunch that she was “supremely disappointed” and that Trump’s decision “puts that seat in jeopardy.”
Sen. John Cornyn; Ken Paxton. Getty Images
“He is an ethically challenged individual,” Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said of Paxton. “John Cornyn is an outstanding senator and deserved, in my judgment, the president’s support.”
“I’m speechless,” Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., told NBC News.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said it will be “three times more expensive” for Republicans if Paxton is the nominee. “You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out the pathway for Paxton is there, but it’s more uphill,” he added.
“He’s looking backward now, and he’s looking at people that were not there when he needed them the most. He has a right to do that. And I like Senator Cornyn. I think he’s been a great senator,” he added.
“I’m sad. I’m actually sad,” Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., said. “If Paxton wins the primary, I mean, early polling indicated that it could be a problem. Now it’ll just cost us a fortune.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., who suffered his own defeat Saturday after Trump endorsed his primary opponent, simply told NBC News, “I thought Paxton was a felon.”