Hunt Enters Texas GOP Senate Primary Against Cornyn, Paxton

Rep. Wesley Hunt, a two-term Houston-area congressman and former Army captain, has formally entered the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Texas, positioning himself as an alternative to incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Hunt said polling shows voters want another option and pledged to center his campaign on families, energy, border security and public safety. Hunt and allied groups have spent roughly $6–6.5 million on statewide advertising this year to build name recognition, while Cornyn-aligned groups have aired more than $21 million in television ads. Senate GOP leaders — including the NRSC, Majority Leader John Thune and Sen. Tim Scott — publicly urged Hunt not to run, warning his bid could dilute resources and jeopardize Republican control of the Senate. Paxton remains a staunch Trump ally but is hampered by legal and personal controversies, and President Trump has not yet endorsed; Democrats Colin Allred and James Talarico have already declared for the general-election contest.