John Cornyn

Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn, defeated by Ken Paxton in last week's primary runoff, said the state attorney general "absolutely" will make things more difficult for the GOP to retain the upper-chamber seat in the general election.

Speaking to reporters Monday after returning to the Capitol, Cornyn stood by the sharp criticisms he leveled against Paxton throughout their bruising primary battle, arguing that the Texas attorney general remains a risky standard-bearer for Republicans despite winning the GOP nomination.

"Absolutely," Cornyn said when asked whether Paxton endangers the seat as the Republican nominee, The Hill reported. "I stand by everything I said during the whole campaign."

Cornyn's comments underscore lingering divisions within the Texas GOP after a hard-fought runoff that ended the senator's nearly quarter-century tenure representing Texas in the Senate.

During the campaign, Cornyn and allied groups spent millions highlighting allegations of personal and professional misconduct involving Paxton, charges the attorney general has repeatedly denied.

Despite his criticism, Cornyn said he will support the Republican ticket in November, when Paxton is expected to face Democrat state Rep. James Talarico.

Still, Cornyn suggested he plans to focus much of his political energy on helping Republicans defend other Senate seats around the country rather than playing a major role in Paxton’s campaign.

"I'd prefer a Republican to somebody like James Talarico," Cornyn said, according to The Dallas Morning News. "But I'm going to concentrate most of my efforts on trying to keep the Senate by helping some of what I consider to be the more winnable races around the country."

Cornyn also pointed to unusually low turnout in the runoff election, noting that only about 7% of registered voters participated.

He argued that hundreds of thousands of voters who supported him in the March primary failed to return for the runoff, creating conditions where "strange things happen."

While Cornyn downplayed the impact of President Donald Trump's late endorsement of Paxton, he acknowledged that Trump's loyal supporters were among the voters who turned out.

Republican leaders, meanwhile, are rapidly moving to unite behind Paxton.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott, R-S.C., have pledged support for the nominee, stressing the importance of keeping the Texas seat in Republican hands.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also vowed to campaign and raise money for Paxton, calling him one of the most conservative attorneys general in the nation.

With Democrats eyeing a costly challenge in Texas, Republicans view the race as critical to preserving their Senate majority heading into 2027.