Texas Congressman Wesley Hunt has fired back at Senator John Cornyn’s attack ad branding him “fake MAGA,” declaring that the Lone Star State needs fearless conservative warriors in Washington, not career politicians who’ve compromised on border security and spending.
Hunt Fires Back at Establishment Attack
Congressman Wesley Hunt responded forcefully to Senator John Cornyn’s campaign advertisement labeling him “fake MAGA,” rejecting the characterization and turning the accusation back on the longtime incumbent.
Hunt argued that Texas voters are seeking genuine conservative fighters who will aggressively defend the America First agenda in Washington, not politicians who’ve built careers on compromise. The exchange represents the latest escalation in what has become an increasingly bitter intra-party battle for the soul of Texas conservatism, with Hunt positioning himself as the authentic voice of the MAGA movement against Cornyn’s establishment credentials.
https://twitter.com/HuntforSenate/status/1982809517357441043
Border Security and Fiscal Record Under Fire
Hunt’s counterattack focused squarely on Cornyn’s legislative record, particularly regarding immigration enforcement and fiscal responsibility. The congressman pointed to Cornyn’s votes on border security measures and spending bills as evidence of insufficient commitment to conservative principles.
Hunt emphasized that Texas needs senators who will fight without hesitation against illegal immigration and reckless government spending, two issues that resonate deeply with the state’s Republican base. This line of attack exploits vulnerabilities that have already emerged in Cornyn’s political standing, as polling throughout 2025 has shown declining approval among Texas Republicans who increasingly demand unwavering loyalty to Trump-era policies and aggressive opposition to Biden-era initiatives.
Generational Battle for Texas Conservatism
The “warriors versus dinosaurs” framing reflects a broader generational and ideological conflict within the Republican Party, particularly in Texas, where the MAGA movement has gained significant traction. Hunt’s rhetoric suggests that long-serving senators like Cornyn, despite decades of conservative voting records, are ill-equipped to combat the aggressive progressive agenda that conservatives believe threatens traditional American values. This messaging appeals to Republican primary voters who prioritize combativeness and ideological purity over legislative experience and institutional relationships. The characterization of the Senate as not being “a retirement home” reinforces the narrative that Texas Republicans need representatives willing to engage in political warfare, not consensus-building, at a time when conservatives feel their fundamental liberties are under siege.
https://twitter.com/HuntforSenate/status/1982854810018951368
Primary Stakes and Conservative Movement
The Hunt-Cornyn confrontation occurs against the backdrop of significant Republican infighting across Texas and nationally. Cornyn has faced mounting pressure from the party’s populist wing since at least 2023, when he lost his bid for Senate Republican leadership and drew criticism for supporting certain bipartisan measures.
While Cornyn has been a reliable conservative vote throughout his Senate tenure since 2002, the Trump era has reshaped Republican primary dynamics, making establishment credentials a liability rather than an asset. Hunt’s challenge, along with potential competition from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, signals that even longtime conservative senators must prove their MAGA bona fides or risk being swept aside by the movement’s more combative representatives. The outcome of this race will send signals about whether experience and legislative accomplishment still matter in Republican primaries, or whether grassroots conservatives will consistently reward the most aggressive Trump-aligned candidates regardless of governing track record.
https://twitter.com/HuntWarRoomTX/status/1982807857188782358
Sources:
Texas Tribune: Cornyn-Paxton Possible Senate Primary
Christianity Today: John Cornyn-Ken Paxton Texas Senate Primary Race