John Cornyn Launches Tipline to Gather Allegations Against Ken Paxton as GOP Primary Race Intensifies
In his Republican primary against Attorney General Ken Paxton, Texas Senator John Cornyn launched a campaign website that urges the public to report inappropriate behavior. The move highlights rising tensions in one of the most acrimonious GOP elections ahead of next year’s primary.
Senator Cornyn, seeking a fifth term, launched the new initiative as “Ken Stoppers.” With the motto “Seen Something Crooked?”, the site urges Texans to report any suspicious activity by Paxton if they have worked with him or seen him. Participants can submit details anonymously online or by phone.
The effort emphasizes Paxton’s political troubles. The campaign calls him “Crooked Ken” and accuses him of violating public trust to benefit wealthy benefactors. Cornyn’s site features the phrase “Texas Deserves Better” to center the campaign upon Paxton’s character and integrity.
The rollout is crucial to the race. Cornyn is quietly gaining momentum in recent polls. Several organizations’ surveys show Paxton has a single-digit advantage. Senate Republican allies’ own data also suggests Paxton is vulnerable in a general election, heightening fears about losing the Senate seat if he wins.
Cornyn’s campaign has heavily compared Paxton’s legal issues to misbehavior. The Department of Justice dropped a corruption case involving Paxton’s inner circle earlier this year, but the suspicions have haunted his political career. Cornyn’s top aide said Paxton has “a deeper record of impropriety” than any other state official in modern history, supporting the senator’s allegation that the attorney general is unsuitable to represent Texas in Washington.
The two Republicans’ conflict has spread to other political areas. Paxton encouraged Texas schools to start prayer and scripture reading in class days ago on social media. Cornyn responded by implying hypocrisy and referencing Paxton’s personal issues, including his wife, State Senator Angela Paxton’s divorce file.
Cornyn’s hotline, which mimics neighborhood “Crime Stoppers” programs, shows that his campaign wants to highlight Paxton’s scandals. The senator uses traditional political messaging and direct voter involvement to get Texans to share their stories and shape the narrative.
This strong effort shows that Cornyn considers Paxton as a political threat that must be directly tackled as the Republican primary approaches. This contest might shape Texas politics and the Republican Party’s control in the state.
Sources
AP News, Washington Examiner, POLITICO, Emerson College Polling, Texas Southern University, Echelon Insights
