Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), sparking a three-way contest within the Republican Party. Hunt, a two-term Houston-area congressman, cited dissatisfaction with Cornyn’s ability to defeat Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is also vying for the nomination despite ongoing legal and personal controversies.
Hunt emphasized his commitment to “Faith. For Family. For Freedom. FOR TEXAS,” stating in a campaign video that he aims to provide an alternative to what he described as Cornyn’s failure to counter Paxton. Polling data cited by Hunt suggests growing public support for a change, though Senate Republican leaders have expressed concerns about the potential financial and electoral risks of defending Paxton’s candidacy.
The race has drawn scrutiny from top GOP figures, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who have criticized Hunt’s decision to enter the contest. Thune and Scott reportedly warned that Cornyn’s campaign is narrowing its deficit against Paxton, while Hunt’s entry could complicate the primary dynamics.
Hunt has invested heavily in advertising, with supporting groups spending $6.5 million on Texas media since April. In contrast, Cornyn’s allies have allocated over $21 million on television ads this year to bolster his re-election bid. The Senate Leadership Fund, an establishment-aligned group, recently urged GOP leaders to prioritize Cornyn’s campaign, calling Paxton a “weak candidate” who jeopardizes the seat in a general election.
Hunt, a former U.S. Army officer and father of three, defended his candidacy as a duty to Texas, rejecting claims it is driven by personal ambition. He highlighted his military service and long-standing ties to the state, vowing to “put Texas first” if elected. Meanwhile, President Trump has yet to endorse a candidate in the primary race.
The GOP nomination could require a runoff after the March 3 primary, with some strategists predicting no clear winner among Hunt, Cornyn, and Paxton. The outcome will shape the direction of Texas’ Senate race as the November general election approaches.