Senator John Cornyn from Texas is facing serious challenges in his bid for reelection, largely due to his past support for gun control legislation. This has raised concerns among his supporters and could affect his chances in the upcoming Republican primary.
A recent poll from Texas Southern University shows that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton leads Cornyn by nine points in the March 2026 primary. Just days later, another independent poll indicated that Paxton’s lead had widened to 22 points. These numbers are alarming for Cornyn, who has been a prominent figure in Texas politics.
Cornyn’s troubles began when he played a key role in crafting the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022, which was backed by President Biden. This legislation expanded background checks for certain gun buyers and encouraged states to adopt red flag laws. Many Texas voters were unhappy with Cornyn’s collaboration with Democrats on this issue, seeing it as a betrayal of Second Amendment rights.
At a Republican Party convention shortly before the bill was signed, Cornyn was booed by attendees for his support of the gun control measures. The backlash has lingered, and in the spring of 2024, when Cornyn sought a leadership position within the Senate, the Gun Owners of America publicly opposed him, stating that he could not be trusted on Second Amendment issues.
Critics like Aidan Johnston, a director at Gun Owners of America, have voiced strong disapproval of Cornyn’s willingness to compromise on gun rights. Johnston emphasized that Americans deserve representatives who will stand firm on their Second Amendment rights without making deals.
As the primary approaches, Cornyn’s support among Republican voters appears to be waning, and his past actions on gun control may continue to haunt him. With Paxton gaining ground, the stakes are high for Cornyn as he tries to rally his base and regain their trust before the election.