Wesley Hunt Enters Texas Senate Race, Shakes Up Republican Primary

Houston, Texas – Republican Congressman Wesley Hunt officially announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Monday, heightening tensions in a critical primary race that already features major players in Texas politics.

Hunt’s decision complicates the ongoing rivalry between incumbent Senator John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Hunt, a supporter of former President Donald Trump, has hinted at a potential run for months and now appears ready to challenge the entrenched political figures in the Lone Star State.

“The U.S. Senate race in Texas must be about more than a petty feud between two men who have spent months trading barbs,” Hunt stated. “With my candidacy, this race will finally be about what’s most important: Texas.”

A 43-year-old Army veteran, Hunt represents a Houston-area district and must quickly familiarize himself with voters beyond his immediate constituency. Competing against established politicians like Cornyn, who has served in the Senate for over two decades, presents a significant challenge.

Cornyn’s senior adviser, Matt Mackowiak, criticized Hunt’s entrance into the race as a “quixotic quest for relevancy,” arguing that it could potentially harm Republican chances by creating a costly primary and endangering the Trump agenda.

The establishment views Hunt as a threat as he may attract support from voters disenchanted with Cornyn. Chris Gustafson, Communications Director of the Senate Leadership Fund, remarked that Hunt’s ambitions could lead to division within the party.

Despite criticisms from party leaders, Hunt maintains that traditional backing does not dictate the preferences of Texas voters. “Washington does not get to dictate what happens in Texas,” he asserted.

The broader context shows that Cornyn’s and Paxton’s rivalry has already stirred considerable tension, especially after Cornyn faced backlash for his bipartisan approach to gun control legislation in 2022. Polls suggest a narrowing race, with Hunt consistently finishing third but showing promise in head-to-head contests against both Cornyn and Paxton.

Hunt’s political journey began in 2020 when he was a prominent Republican candidate for a congressional seat, eventually winning a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. As a member of Congress, his focus has largely been on energy policy and law enforcement, and he has made headlines for his support of legislation aimed at improving police resources.

With the primary scheduled for March, Hunt will need to effectively communicate his message within a short time frame, especially as both Cornyn and Paxton gear up their campaigns with considerable financial resources. Cornyn’s campaign has reportedly spent approximately $19 million on ads highlighting his loyalty to Trump while attacking Paxton.

Hunt’s Senate bid leaves an open seat in his congressional district, which is expected to draw interest from other Republican candidates, thus intensifying competition in the state. With polls indicating that many voters remain undecided, the looming primary could significantly shape the political landscape in Texas.