Despite growing pressure from GOP leaders, U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt is refusing to withdraw from the race for one of Texas’ seats in the U.S. Senate, a move that could help Democrats win their first statewide race here since 1994.
“If Senate leadership does not like me being in this race, you know what I say? Good, because Senate leadership does not pick the leadership in Texas,” Hunt told CNN over the weekend.
A MAGA-affiliated congressman representing Houston, Hunt is one of three Republicans vying in the GOP primary for U.S. Senate seat now held by longtime incumbent John Cornyn. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is the other.
Beltway insiders reportedly want Cornyn to hold the seat at all costs. However, with Hunt in the mix, it could force a May 26 primary, diverting funds from other Republican races across the country.
Cornyn warns that siphoning funds for an unnecessary runoff race could harm Republicans’ chances of winning nationwide races, putting their majorities in the Senate and Congress at risk.
A runoff could also batter Republicans and could help Democrats win their first statewide race in Texas in more than 30 years.
“[Hunt] can’t win, so this could well be the end of his political career if he decides to make this race, and he may be thinking about that,” Cornyn told CNN.
Even so, Hunt rebuked Cornyn’s comments, reaffirming to the cable network that he believes he’s the best candidate in the crowded field.
“I have survived combat,” Hunt said. “I flew 55 combat air missions in Baghdad. The end of my political career — I’m still alive and well.”
Despite Hunt’s confidence, the latest polling released last month had him more than 10 points behind both Cornyn and Paxton.
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