Following Senator Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) announcement of his resignation as the Republican Senate leader, Senator John Cornyn of Texas was the first to declare his candidacy to succeed McConnell in the role.
One day after McConnell delivered a speech announcing his plans to resign in November, Cornyn issued a statement urging Senate Republicans to contemplate him as McConnell’s replacement. He highlighted his extensive experience in the Senate, mentioning that he has gained valuable insights during his tenure. Cornyn previously held the position of Republican whip from 2013 to 2019, which is the second-ranking Republican role in the Senate. He is presently serving his fourth term in the Senate, having been elected in 2002.
The trio of primary contenders anticipated to vie for McConnell’s role are commonly referred to as the “three Johns.” Besides Cornyn, Sen. John Thune from South Dakota and John Barrasso from Wyoming are also in the running. All three “Johns” have expressed their support for Trump as the Republican presidential candidate. Cornyn asserts that his voting record has aligned with Trump’s agenda approximately 92% of the time during Trump’s tenure in office.
Critics of Cornyn have pointed out that he hesitated to endorse Trump initially. They argue that endorsing a candidate during the primaries would have been premature and potentially inappropriate. Additionally, they voiced apprehensions about Trump’s ability to secure victory against Biden in the general election.
In his campaign pitch, Cornyn emphasized his track record of pursuing consensus and claimed to possess superior listening skills compared to his competitors. The Center for Effective Lawmaking, a nonpartisan organization affiliated with the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University, ranked Cornyn as the most effective Republican senator between 2021 and 2023. Furthermore, during the 2022 election cycle, Cornyn emerged as one of the leading Republican fundraisers.
One of Cornyn’s notable critics is Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General, who is contemplating a bid for Cornyn’s seat in the 2026 primary. Paxton labeled Cornyn as anti-Trump and anti-gun following Cornyn’s announcement. In response, Cornyn retorted that it would be challenging for Paxton to campaign while facing legal issues, referencing Paxton’s troubles related to securities fraud and allegations of misconduct during his tenure in office.
