Defiant GOP Rep Wesley Hunt refuses to quit Texas Senate race despite party's warnings

WASHINGTON, DC: Republican leaders are pressing Rep Wesley Hunt to quit the Texas Senate race, warning that his continued candidacy could trigger a costly three-way battle and strain the party’s midterm strategy.

But Hunt pushed back, telling CNN he is “absolutely” staying in the race against Sen John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and plans to officially file his candidacy this week.

Wesley Hunt calls Texas Senate race a 'David and Goliath' battle

Hunt, a 44-year-old combat veteran and two-term House member, said he plans to officially file for the Senate race this week, ending weeks of speculation about whether he would continue his campaign or stay in his Houston-area House seat.

“If Senate leadership does not like me being in this race, you know what I say? Good, because Senate leadership does not pick the leadership in Texas,” Hunt said. He insisted he is the only candidate who can win both the primary and general election without costing “hundreds of millions of dollars.”

Hunt described the race as a “David and Goliath” battle, saying, "This is like a David and Goliath kind of story. I have a couple of smooth stones to throw at him, but guess what? They are very effective."

He argued that the base is not behind 73-year-old Cornyn, who has held the seat since 2002, and said, “The people of Texas are looking for an alternative, and it’s absolutely my job to give them one.”

Like Paxton, Hunt is a MAGA loyalist and is seeking an endorsement from President Donald Trump. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other top Republicans have urged Trump to clear the field for Cornyn, but sources say Trump is unlikely to endorse anyone soon and may wait until a clear frontrunner emerges before the March 3 primary.

John Cornyn believes Wesley Hunt can’t win the Senate race

Sen John Cornyn warned that a longer campaign could drain tens of millions of dollars that Republicans need to secure other key states and keep their Senate majority.

“He can’t win, so this could well be the end of his political career if he decides to make this race, and he may be thinking about that,” Cornyn told CNN, referring to Hunt’s decision to run for his seat.

Hunt dismissed Cornyn’s criticism. “I have survived combat. I flew 55 combat air missions in Baghdad. The end of my political career – I’m still alive and well,” he said.

Hunt added, “I am not going to be a 30-year guy that’s hung around the hoop for this long and not pass the mantle on to somebody else when it’s time for you to go. The United States Senate is not a retirement community.”

He also avoided criticizing Paxton and said, “I’m not getting in people’s personal lives because that’s just not how I roll.”

A Cornyn supporter called Hunt a “spoiler” who adds unnecessary pressure to the race. The supporter said senior Republicans have repeatedly told Hunt to drop out because he has no path to victory. Hunt, however, said he has never received such messages from Trump’s circle.

When asked if anyone in the White House discouraged him from running, Hunt said, “Nobody has told me a word.”