John Cornyn

WASHINGTON – Sen. Ted Cruz on Sunday dismissed fellow Texas Sen. John Cornyn’s increasingly dire warnings about Republican Ken Paxton’s campaign, saying the criticism came from “hurt feelings” over their bitter primary.

Cruz predicted Paxton will defeat Democrat James Talarico in November, even as polls show a close race and Cornyn refuses to use his formidable fundraising network to help his former rival.

“I understand their hurt feelings,” Cruz said on NBC’s Meet the Press. “That is human nature.”

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The race could help determine control of the Senate, where Republicans are defending their majority. Cruz predicted his party would keep control, saying a Democratic-led Congress would bring investigations, subpoenas and “nonstop impeachment circus” targeting President Donald Trump.

Defending Paxton

Cornyn, who lost the GOP primary runoff to Paxton by nearly 28 percentage points, said last week that Paxton has not built a strong general election campaign.

Cornyn called the Senate race “close” and potentially “disastrous” for Republicans in November.

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“Paxton’s a poor campaigner,” Cornyn told The Texas Tribune. “He’s lazy and doesn’t raise money. And he basically is not offering a very compelling case for his election.”

Asked by moderator Kristen Welker whether he agreed with that assessment, Cruz said the remarks reflected lingering “hurt feelings.”

“Primaries can often be bitter. …That’s part of the process,” Cruz said.

He did not directly address Cornyn’s complaints about Paxton’s campaigning and fundraising. He instead described Paxton as “a strong conservative” who would support low taxes, fewer regulations, border security, law enforcement and constitutional rights.

“This is not about how any one particular person feels about any one particular candidate,” Cruz said. “This is about the people of Texas.”

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Predicting victory

Asked whether Paxton could beat Talarico without Cornyn’s active support, Cruz pointed to the attorney general’s string of statewide victories.

“Ken Paxton can most absolutely win,” Cruz said. “I believe Ken Paxton will be the next senator from Texas.”

Cornyn has said he will back the Republican ticket but plans to direct his fundraising efforts toward GOP Senate candidates in other states, including Michigan, New Hampshire and Alaska.

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Paxton faces a substantial financial disadvantage. Talarico, a state representative from Austin, raised $30 million during the second quarter of 2026, compared with Paxton’s $9 million.

From the start of the general election through Aug. 20, Talarico’s campaign outspent Paxton’s campaign on advertising by more than 200 to 1, according to AdImpact.

Talarico allies have touted summer polls showing a tight race. Texas Democrats have not won a statewide office in more than three decades.

Attacking Talarico

Cruz, in the NBC interview, repeatedly described the Democrat as outside the Texas mainstream.

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“James Talarico is a far-left radical candidate,” Cruz said.

He attacked Talarico over his comments about gender, immigration and capitalism. He said Talarico “would be a great Senate candidate in California” but does not fit Texas.

Talarico’s campaign has presented him as a former teacher focused on affordability and rooting out corruption. He has spent much of the campaign introducing himself through positive television ads featuring his teaching background, family and concerns about the cost of living.

Talarico’s negative TV ad

Talarico switched tactics on Saturday with his first negative television ad of the campaign, targeting Paxton over allegations of corruption.

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“Ken Paxton is the most corrupt politician in Texas,” Talarico says in the 30-second spot. “We cannot afford Ken Paxton’s corruption.”

The ad cites Paxton’s real estate holdings and his 2023 impeachment by the Republican-controlled Texas House on allegations of bribery and abuse of office. The Texas Senate acquitted Paxton of all charges, and he has denied wrongdoing.

The ad debuted during TCU’s season-opening football game against the University of North Carolina.

Paxton senior adviser Nick Maddux told the Tribune interview that the ad was a “desperate attempt” to distract voters from Talarico’s record.

Leaving 2028 open

Cruz declined to rule out another presidential campaign after falling to Trump in the GOP nomination fight in 2016.

“There will be a time for that conversation,” Cruz said when pressed about a possible 2028 bid.

For now, Cruz said he is focused on helping Republican candidates in the midterm elections. He called the contests the most consequential midterms of his political career and said Democratic victories would bring gridlock and halt Trump’s legislative agenda.

“This is the season of the midterms,” he said.

‘Mission Accomplished’

Welker asked Cruz whether he agreed with Trump that it was “mission accomplished” in Iran after the president posted the slogan on social media. The phrase came to dog President George W. Bush as the war in Iraq dragged on.

Six months into the Iran war, Cruz said the initial mission of eliminating the country’s military capabilities had been accomplished, citing the destruction of its air force and navy and much of its supply of ballistic missiles and drones.

Imposing economic sanctions via blockade continues, Cruz said, adding he’s urged the Trump administration to arm protesters in Iran to help bring about the collapse of the regime.

“It's not our business to determine who the government of Iran is, but it is our business to say the government of Iran should not be a radical theocrat who hates America and is trying to kill Americans,” Cruz said.