GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) 鈥� was the unofficial guest of honor at the , where hundreds of right-wing activists from around the country hailed him as Republicans鈥� clear choice for U.S. Senate.
He met with supporters behind closed doors, gave the keynote address at the Ronald Reagan dinner and held court during a private reception where people lined up for handshakes and photos. Audiences cheered for Paxton and booed any mention of Sen. John Cornyn, Paxton’s opponent in the May 26 runoff.
If Paxton wins the nomination, it will be because of support from his party’s That rock-solid foundation rescued Paxton’s political career after he was impeached 鈥� 鈥� for corruption charges by the Texas Legislature three years ago.
鈥淚 want you to know, there鈥檚 only one reason I got through all that, and it鈥檚 by the grace of God,鈥� he said in his Friday night speech as a wave of applause rolled through the hall. 鈥淗e absolutely delivered me, and he used to people of Texas to deliver me.”
Neither Paxton nor Cornyn won enough votes in to clinch the nomination outright. Although Cornyn has raised far more money and is backed by the party establishment in Washington, Paxton鈥檚 well-honed survival skills could lead him to victory.
The winner will face Democrat , a state lawmaker, in what will be one of the most closely watched Senate races as Republicans try to retain their grip of Congress.
Cornyn did not attend CPAC, which was held at a resort and convention center near Dallas. Paxton was the overwhelming favorite in CPAC’s straw poll, beating Cornyn by more than three to one, and he won the organization’s endorsement.
鈥楾here’s got to be a change’
President Donald Trump promised that he would endorse either Paxton or Cornyn weeks ago, but Paxton, however, has had no trouble proving his bona fides with the party’s right wing.
鈥淭he real benefit of Paxton is that he is more an ally of Trump,鈥� said Luke Brown, a 21-year-old college student from Amarillo, Texas. 鈥淭here鈥檚 got to be a change for newer conservatives.
He added that, 鈥淚 have respect for Cornyn. I just think it鈥檚 time for someone more conservative.鈥�
Although Cornyn finished first in the primary, which also included Rep. Wesley Hunt, Paxton swiftly appealed to Trump by embracing legislation known as the SAVE Act, which would mean new, strict proof-of-citizenship requirements for voting. The proposal is a priority for the president, but it has because Republican leaders do not want to lift the filibuster.
Paxton said he would consider stepping aside if the legislation passed and accused Cornyn of being a 鈥渃oward.” About a week later, Cornyn reversed his position on the filibuster and wrote in an op-ed that 鈥淚 support whatever changes to Senate rules that may prove necessary.鈥�
鈥楾oo little too late鈥�
Paxton crowed about the shift during his reception on Saturday.
“Unfortunately, John Cornyn has never been focused on this issue until right now, when I called him out on it,鈥� he told supporters.
Cornyn’s campaign noted that the senator is an original co-sponsor of the voting legislation.
鈥淜en Paxton has lied to his staff, to taxpayers, to his colleagues and to his own family, so it should be not a surprise he鈥檚 lying here too,” said Matt Mackowiak, a senior adviser to Cornyn’s campaign.
Joe Ropar, a 72-year-old defense contractor who attended CPAC, described Paxton’s maneuvering as 鈥渂rilliant.鈥�
鈥淐ornyn鈥檚 trying to change his stripes now,鈥� Ropar said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 too little too late.鈥�
While Cornyn did not attend CPAC, which was held at a resort and convention center near Dallas, Paxton was extolled by speakers throughout the event.
鈥淜en Paxton is emblematic of the grassroots of the MAGA movement across the nation,鈥� said Steve Bannon, a former Trump adviser who hosts the 鈥淲ar Room鈥� podcast, referring to Trump’s 鈥淢ake America Great Again鈥� slogan.
Earlier Friday, CPAC senior fellow Mercedes Schlapp polled the crowd. Asking for a show of support for Paxton, there was a roar of cheers. When she asked about Cornyn, there was a light ripple of boos.
鈥楾ime for a change鈥�
Paxton reminded conservatives here of another connection with Trump: They both have portrayed themselves as the victims of political persecution. While Paxton was impeached and acquitted once, Trump went through the process twice during his first term.
Some conservative Republicans hold other grudges against Cornyn. They remember his early criticism of Trump’s proposal for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border in 2016, his co-sponsoring of gun control legislation after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022, and his dismissive remarks about Trump’s comeback campaign in 2024.
Retired music teacher Valerie Burge, 58, said she voted for Cornyn in the primary because of his long service.
鈥淏ut I’m not sure about the runoff,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t might be time for something new.鈥�
Barbara Palmer, a 65-year-old lawyer, said Cornyn had simply been in office for too long. He has been a judge, state supreme court justice and state attorney general, and now he wants a fifth term as senator.
鈥淚t’s just time for a change,鈥� Palmer said.
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