Cornyn opponent Paxton says Washington Republicans wasting time, money trying to rescue incumbent

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says Washington Republicans are wasting their time and resources trying to throw Sen. John Cornyn a lifeline in the state’s hotly contested GOP primary.

Mr. Cornyn and his allies argue that Mr. Paxton’s political and personal baggage — including a messy divorce and allegations of infidelity — would make it harder, and far more expensive, for Republicans to hold the seat if Paxton becomes the nominee.

“They’ve been saying that ever since I’ve been in office,” he said on “Fox News Sunday.” “If you look at President Trump, he’s gone through numerous legal battles and I have also been successful, just like him. When you’re over the target, when you’re fighting, they come after you, and you can see every, every single legal battle I’ve won.”

Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt face off in the March 3 GOP primary.

If no one gets more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers move on to a May 26 runoff. Early voting starts Tuesday.

President Trump’s influence looms over the race and many political analysts say his endorsement could make or break Mr. Cornyn’s bid for a fifth term.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee, the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, has lined up behind Mr. Cornyn.

The group recently released an internal poll showing Mr. Cornyn performing better than Mr. Paxton in hypothetical general election matchups against either Rep. Jasmine Crockett or state Rep. James Talarico, who are vying for the Democratic nomination.

Democrats have not won statewide in Texas in three decades. But they are holding out hope that brewing anti-Trump sentiment could help power them to victory this fall.

Mr. Paxton dismissed the NRSC poll as an outlier, saying recent public surveys — along with his own internal numbers — show him running even with or ahead of Cornyn.

“I would perform at least as well and probably better in a general election than he would,” he said.

He also brushed off concerns that his nomination would force Republicans to drain money that could be used in competitive races in Maine, North Carolina and Michigan. Mr. Paxton argued that the claim doesn’t hold up when pro‑Cornyn forces are already on track to spend $100 million in the primary alone, which could be used on the general election.

“It’s going to be a it’s going to be a lot of money spent, and he’s going to end up losing,” he said.