Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, is jumping into the Senate race in Texas, joining a competitive primary battle between Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Hunt told the Associated Press in an interview that he believes that polling indicates “people want an alternative, and I’m going to give it to them.”
The congressman highlighted his support for President Donald Trump on his campaign website, saying he was “fighting alongside President Trump to codify DOGE cuts, secure our border, and fight for economic prosperity for all Texans.”
In a news release, he said “the U.S. Senate race in Texas must be about more than a petty feud between two men who have spent months trading barbs.”
“With my candidacy, this race will finally be about what’s most important,” Hunt said. “I will ensure this campaign centers on what truly matters: Texas families, the protection of American energy, the security of our border, and the safety of every community across our great state.”
Cornyn is up for re-election in 2026, but he is facing a competitive race with Paxton, who entered the race in April. Paxton, a firm ally of the president, also touted his support for Trump in his campaign announcement. Polling between the two Republicans has been close, and that Hunt’s entrance could disrupt the race.
In his press release, Hunt touted his early endorsement for Trump and his conservative bona fides, arguing he was “the most consistently conservative legislator representing Texas in Congress.”
“Bureaucrats in D.C. do not choose Texas’ leadership, Texans do,” he said. “This race will be settled by Texans, not entrenched political figures from inside the beltway.”
A launch video featured Hunt’s family and friends praised his character and experience.
Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., said in the video that Hunt “knows how important saving this country is, and I know that’s why he’s willing to sacrifice so much.”
His wife Emily Hunt called her husband “the heart and soul of the family,” and his brother Wrendon Hunt said Hunt “is a natural leader.”
Cornyn won re-election in 2020, securing 53.5% of the vote. His Senate tenure began in 2002, while Hunt has served in Congress since 2023, representing parts of the Houston-area.
The Senate race is also drawing attention after Democratic state Rep. James Talarico entered the race in September, raising his party’s hopes in the general election. Democrats have not held a Senate seat in Texas in nearly four decades.
