Texas Senator John Cornyn has provided financial support to the campaigns of Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and former Utah Senator Mitt Romney, both known for their votes to convict former President Donald Trump during his impeachment trials. Federal Election Commission (FEC) records reveal contributions from Cornyn’s Victory Committee to both senators’ campaigns after their high-profile votes to convict President Trump.
Cornyn Funded Murkowski After Her Vote to Convict Trump
According to FEC filings, the Cornyn Victory Committee donated $367,763.46 to Lisa Murkowski’s campaign for U.S. Senate. These contributions followed Murkowski’s 2021 vote to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial, led by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, related to the January 6th. In a statement after her vote, Murkowski said, “By inciting the events that culminated on January 6, President Trump’s actions and words were not protected free speech. While I honor our constitutional rights, including freedom of speech, that right does not extend to the President inciting violence.”
Cornyn’s Financial Support Continued with Mitt Romney
Similarly, FEC records show that since 2023, the Cornyn Victory Committee contributed $179,459.88 to Romney for Utah Inc., despite Romney having voted to convict Trump in both of his impeachment trials—first in 2020 over Trump’s call with Ukraine’s president and again in 2021 following the January 6 events. Romney described January 6th as an “insurrection incited by President Trump” prior to his 2021 vote. Trump responded to Romney’s first impeachment vote with a post on X, stating, “Had failed presidential candidate @MittRomney devoted the same energy to defeating Barack Obama as he does to me, he could have won the election.”
Cornyn’s Anti-Trump Position Fuels Primary Challenge
Cornyn’s financial support for Murkowski and Romney aligns with his public stance on Trump’s electability. In May 2023, Cornyn remarked that he did not believe Trump was a viable candidate for re-election. This position has drawn criticism from some within his party, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who announced this week his intention to challenge Cornyn in the 2026 Republican primary. Paxton accused Cornyn of diverging from Trump’s “America First” agenda, which has resonated strongly with Texas voters, as evidenced by Trump’s decisive victories in the state in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
MAGA Base Questions Cornyn’s GOP Loyalty
As the Texas Senate GOP primary draws near, Senator John Cornyn faces mounting scrutiny over his record of endorsing U.S. Senators who opposed President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again agenda. With the race intensifying, Cornyn will likely need to address these concerns to maintain his standing among Republican voters.
