Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was greeted with a fervent reception from grassroots conservative activists during the Conservative Political Action Conference this past Saturday. The event, strategically held in the Dallas suburb of Grapevine, Texas, underscored the monumental significance of the ongoing Senate primary battle, which has shattered records as the most expensive in American electoral history.
A Stark Contrast in Attendance
Both incumbent Senator John Cornyn and challenger Ken Paxton received invitations to address the CPAC gathering. However, only Paxton made an appearance, delivering a speech to the assembled conservatives. This notable absence by Cornyn did not go unremarked, creating a palpable contrast between the two Republican contenders.
Paxton's Confident Stance
Following his address to cheering crowds on Friday evening and a Saturday morning dedicated to meeting voters, Paxton shared his optimism with the Daily Mail. "I feel great," he stated. "I've run a lot of races in Texas, competitive races. And this one just has a good feel to it right now. We're definitely moving in the right direction."
The 63-year-old Paxton is challenging 74-year-old Senator Cornyn, who is seeking an unprecedented fifth term after serving over 23 years in the Senate. The race advanced to a direct runoff between the two after a three-way March primary that also included Republican Congressman Wesley Hunt, with over $100 million already spent on campaign advertisements.
The Trump Factor and Runoff Dynamics
Paxton confirmed a recent meeting with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, describing it as "great." While acknowledging the immense value of a Trump endorsement, calling it "the most valuable endorsement I've ever seen," Paxton indicated he would not pressure the former president, who has thus far withheld his support in this intensely contested race.
The runoff election is scheduled for May 26, with the victor set to face Democratic nominee, State Representative James Talarico, in the November general election. Paxton appeared emboldened by the support he witnessed at CPAC, directly criticising his opponent's campaign energy. "These people aren't going to come out for John Cornyn, they're not excited about John Cornyn. We need someone that will generate energy," Paxton asserted. "John, honestly, has no energy."
Voices from the Conference
CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp expressed his disappointment to the Daily Mail regarding Cornyn's decision not to attend. "I think the fact that he didn't come demonstrates his weakness, I think," Schlapp remarked in an interview. He praised Paxton as a "fighter" whose presence thrilled Trump supporters, arguing that the Senate needs someone with the courage to "break things and make people uncomfortable" and "fight like hell."
Adding to the commentary, former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon told the Daily Mail that a Paxton victory would "electrify conservatives" in Texas, labelling the race "so huge" and calling for an "all hands on deck" effort from grassroots activists.
Grassroots Sentiment
The sentiment among attendees was captured by Brian, a 58-year-old Texan, who voiced his disappointment with Cornyn's attack advertisements against Paxton, describing them as "misleading." He confirmed his intention to support Paxton in the primary, noting, "He's not my savior, he's a politician and he's a fighter."
This gathering at CPAC has vividly highlighted the energetic grassroots divide within the Texas Republican party, setting the stage for a fiercely contested and historically costly runoff election that will determine who challenges the Democratic nominee in the fall.
