Turmoil in Texas: Concerns for Paxton to drop out, Gonzales drops reelection bid

By Bethany Blankley
The Center Square

Within two days of the March primary election, two high-profile races are already in turmoil. Republican leaders are taking actions to keep the seats red, expressing support for one incumbent and calling for another to end his reelection campaign.

On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn led the primary results heading into a runoff with Attorney General Ken Paxton. By Wednesday, President Donald Trump said he’d soon issue an endorsement. Paxton has issued conflicting statements, saying he won’t drop out regardless of who Trump endorses and he’d consider dropping out if the Senate passes the SAVE Act.

Meanwhile, House leadership called on disgraced U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Republican representing a west Texas border district, to end his reelection campaign after he admitted this week to having an affair with his staffer who then killed herself. Gonzales was forced into a runoff election by Second Amendment advocate Brandon Herrerra, who political analysts believe could keep the seat red in November. Late Thursday night, Gonzales acquiesced after months of denying the affair and saying he wouldn’t drop out or resign.

Trump said in a social media post the divisive U.S. Senate race in Texas “cannot, for the good of the Party, and our Country, itself, be allowed to go on any longer. IT MUST STOP NOW! I will be making my Endorsement soon, and will be asking the candidate that I don’t Endorse to immediately DROP OUT OF THE RACE! Is that fair? We must win in November!!!”

Polls show Cornyn defeating Democratic nominee state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, in November but a matchup with Paxton shows Republicans likely losing the seat for the first time in more than 30 years. The Texas U.S. Senate seat has been considered a safe Republican seat, but with Paxton challenging Cornyn an estimated $100 million or more would need to be spent to defend the seat instead of on other senate races to keep a Republican majority in the Senate, political analysts argue.

On Thursday, Paxton said he’d consider dropping out of the race if the Senate passes the SAVE Act, which includes additional requirements to ensure only U.S. citizens are voting.

“I would consider dropping out of this race if Senate Leadership agrees to lift the filibuster and passes the SAVE America Act,” Paxton said. He also attacked Cornyn for not abolishing the filibuster and “Fake News reporters and the establishment are trying to destroy me with misinformation,” claiming “No one has been more loyal to Donald Trump than me.”

Within 24 hours of making that statement, he’d also told online websites and podcasters he would not drop out of the race regardless of who Trump endorses.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he’s spoken with Trump on several occasions asking him to endorse Cornyn. He says Cornyn “is an incredibly effective senator for the state of Texas, a strong conservative voice here in the United States Senate. He represents by far our very best hope of making sure that Texas stays red in November. I’ve certainly weighed in many, many times in support of Senator Cornyn.”

On Thursday, in a joint statement, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Leader Steve Scalise, Whip Tom Emmer and Chairwoman Lisa McClain called on Gonzales to end his reelection campaign.

“The Ethics Committee has announced an investigation into Congressman Tony Gonzales’s conduct, and we urge them to act expeditiously. Congressman Gonzales has said he will fully cooperate with the investigation. We have encouraged him to address these very serious allegations directly with his constituents and his colleagues. In the meantime, Leadership has asked Congressman Gonzales to withdraw from his race for re-election,” they said in a joint statement.

Several hours later, Gonzales agreed, stating, “After deep reflection and with the support of my loving family, I have decided not to seek reelection while serving out the rest” of his term. He did not apologize to the former staffer’s family or husband or his constituents.

Herrerra thanked the House leaders “for holding Congressman Tony Gonzales accountable for actions that have tarnished the office. I’m looking forward to representing the district the way the people of West Texas have always deserved.”

The runoff election is May 26.