Attorney General Ken Paxton is leaning hard on his recent endorsement from President Donald Trump in the waning days of the U.S. Senate primary runoff campaign in Texas.
Paxton, who is vying to unseat incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-TX, released a statewide ad Wednesday, May 20, touting the president’s “complete and total” endorsement, which likely marks the death knell for Cornyn’s hopes of reelection.
The ad features Trump’s social media endorsement in which he declared Paxton a “true MAGA warrior who has always delivered for Texas.” The president also hailed Paxton as a proven conservative fighter who will make the country “bigger, better, and stronger than ever before.”
“I am incredibly honored to have President Trump’s complete and total endorsement,” Paxton said in a news release. “No one has ever fought harder for the American people than President Trump, and I look forward to championing his America First agenda in the Senate!”
Paxton, who has continuously led in the polls, is set to face off against Cornyn Tuesday, May 26, in the Republican U.S. Senate primary runoff in Texas. The winner of that contest will face state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, in the November General Election.
Cornyn warns Paxton could hand Dems victory
Reeling from Trump’s endorsement, Cornyn released a new digital ad Wednesday highlighting Paxton’s myriad scandals and warning that he could be a catalyst for the first statewide Democratic victory since 1996.
The ad notes that Paxton’s wealth has increased 7,000% during his time in office to a net worth of $12 million. It also notes his 11 homes, three of which he claims as primary residences, as well as his infidelity and divorce.
“If Ken Paxton’s our Senate nominee, the national media will swarm Austin,” the ad’s voiceover states. “Paxton’s scandals will dominate the election.”
“Ken Paxton is filthy rich, but he’s morally bankrupt,” the ad continues. “Crooked Ken is a mortal threat to the America First agenda.”
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Paxton touts Trump endorsement in latest US Senate ad in Texas
Reporting by Adam Powell, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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