Ken Paxton alleges John Cornyn urged him to lose in leaked audio
Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in Texas, released a newly leaked audio recording from a September 24 meeting in Washington, D.C., asserting that Senator John Cornyn told him the party should make a lesson of his campaign loss.
Paxton said Cornyn’s remarks included, “It’s going to be hard to learn, but they need to know that their decisions have consequences. We need to make sure they understand it,” a statement Paxton described as evidence that Cornyn wants him to lose. The recording is the latest in a series of audio snippets that have emerged after a September 24 gathering, following earlier releases by the New York Times, Politico, Axios and the Texas Tribune.
Cornyn’s office categorically denied that the conversation occurred. A spokesperson, Rob Jesmer, told CNN the senator would be “more active in the campaign” if he wanted Paxton to lose, and affirmed that Cornyn supports the Republican ticket.
Paxton’s campaign dismissed the story as a fabricated narrative, noting that Paxton has reached out to Cornyn via calls and texts and offered a direct conversation. Senior adviser Nick Maddux praised Paxton’s service, stating, “Like all Texans, General Paxton appreciates his decades of service to the Lone Star State.”
The audio leaks have been framed by Paxton as an attempt to damage his campaign, while critics view the recordings as part of a coordinated effort to undermine his candidacy. CNN has not independently verified Paxton’s account, and the broader media landscape has reported the series of leaks without confirming their authenticity.
President Donald Trump has publicly backed Paxton, rejecting attempts to create a wedge between the two Republicans. The escalating dispute comes as the Senate race sharpens, with both candidates seeking to solidify support among the state’s GOP base.
The next development may hinge on whether additional recordings surface or if either campaign seeks legal recourse over the alleged defamation. For now, the conflicting narratives remain in the public sphere, adding another layer of intrigue to an already contentious campaign.
