Segment #1066
Texas Republicans Have Spoken. The Bush–Cornyn–Rove Establishment Hasn't Accepted the Result.
October 23, 2026 | Political analysis
My opinion here really doesn't matter. The facts do.
For years, Democrats have been criticized for allowing their party establishment to manipulate the nomination process, effectively choosing candidates rather than respecting the voters. How has that worked out for them?
Now explain to me how the Republican establishment in Texas is any different when it refuses to support Ken Paxton despite his overwhelming primary victory.
You can love or hate Karl Rove, John Cornyn, or Ken Paxton. That's beside the point. The question is whether the will of Republican primary voters matters only when the establishment approves of their choice.
If party leaders condemn establishment interference by Democrats but defend it within their own party, they have some serious explaining to do. By the very standards they apply to Democrats, that is hypocrisy.
On May 26, Texas Republican voters delivered an unmistakable verdict. Ken Paxton defeated four-term Senator John Cornyn in the Republican Senate runoff by nearly 28 percentage points. Yet five months later, Cornyn, Karl Rove, and members of the Bush family remain openly opposed to Paxton or unwilling to support his campaign. Their public statements, fundraising decisions, and political contributions are documented. The question is no longer whether the Republican establishment dislikes Paxton. It is how far that opposition extends, even as control of a Texas Senate seat is at stake.
1. The numbers: Texas Republicans made their choice
Ken Paxton
885,949
63.9% of runoff votes
John Cornyn
501,725
36.1% of runoff votes
Paxton: 63.9%Cornyn: 36.1%
Paxton won by 384,224 votes, despite Cornyn's substantial financial advantage. The runoff followed a primary campaign reported to have involved approximately $135 million in spending.
KSAT
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2. Cornyn: August 28, 2026
In an interview with The Texas Tribune, Cornyn said:
"Paxton's a poor campaigner. He's lazy and doesn't raise money."
He added:
"This is unfortunately shaping up to be a close and I hope not disastrous election."
Cornyn refused to raise money for Paxton and had not endorsed him, although he said he supported the Republican ticket.
The Texas Tribune
The financial stakes were substantial. During the second quarter of 2026, Democrat James Talarico raised approximately $30 million against Paxton's $9 million. Cornyn acknowledged that many of his longtime donors were sitting out the race.
The Texas Tribune
3. Karl Rove: September 26, 2026
At the Texas Tribune Festival, Rove declared:
"If John Cornyn were the nominee, this race would be over."
Rove then revived allegations concerning Paxton's personal conduct and his relationship with a political donor, matters previously raised during Paxton's 2023 impeachment proceedings. Paxton was acquitted by the Texas Senate.
Rove would not say whether he intended to vote for Paxton.
The Texas Tribune
4. The Bush family: September–October 2026
George W. Bush hosted a September fundraiser with Cornyn for six Republican Senate candidates. Paxton was not included.
On September 23, Barbara Bush, the former president's daughter, contributed $2,500 to a super PAC supporting Talarico.
In October, Neil Bush, the former president's brother, announced that he had voted for Talarico, explaining:
"My vote was motivated by two things, deep concern about Ken Paxton's record and genuine admiration for the character and principles I see in James Talarico."
These actions go beyond withholding support: two members of the Bush family have financially or electorally supported the Democratic side. George W. Bush himself has not publicly made the same commitment.
Transcripts
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5. Paxton: September 24, 2026
In remarks at a Washington fundraiser, subsequently obtained by CNN and reported October 9, Paxton said of Cornyn:
"He's clearly not helping. He wants me to lose."
Paxton also recounted a secondhand story alleging that Cornyn wanted Republican voters taught a lesson for choosing Paxton.
That particular account remains disputed. CNN could not independently confirm it, and Cornyn's representative denied the incident occurred.
News Channel 3-12
6. Trump: October 15, 2026
President Trump publicly accused Cornyn and Rove of undermining Paxton, writing:
"If Ken Paxton loses, it will be because of WEAK and INEFFECTIVE Political Hacks like John Cornyn and Karl Rove"
Trump urged Cornyn's former supporters to unite behind Paxton.
The Texas Tribune
7. The national stakes
53
Republican Senate seats
47
Democratic caucus seats
1994
Last Democratic statewide victory in Texas
These are the starting Senate numbers for the 2026 election cycle. With other seats also contested, a Texas loss could materially affect the fight for Senate control.