'Enough of old career politicians': Republican John Cornyn faces backlash over 2026 re-election plans

WASHINGTON, DC: In a move that ignited fierce opposition from users across various social media platforms, long-serving US Senator John Cornyn of Texas announced on Friday, May 24, that he planned to seek re-election in 2026.

The decision set the stage for a potential clash with the state's controversial Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has emerged as a leading figure among the Republican Party's more hardline conservative wing, as reported by The Dallas Morning News.

John Cornyn confirms plan to run for re-election in 2026

Having served as a senator since 2003, Cornyn is widely considered to be a potential candidate to replace Mitch McConnell as Republican leader.

A secret ballot vote to determine McConnell’s successor is anticipated after the November elections, which will decide the Senate's controlling party. When questioned about his re-election bid, irrespective of the leadership race's result, Cornyn's response was positive. "Yes," he stated, adding, "I mean, God willing. Inshallah."

Cornyn stands as one of the few remaining prominent Texas Republicans from the George W Bush era. His initial campaign in 2002 focused on supporting Bush’s judicial appointments.

Over the years, Cornyn has been re-elected three times, navigating the increasingly right-leaning and anti-incumbency sentiments within the Texas Republican Party. In 2020, he garnered more votes than any other nonjudicial candidate in Texas history, defeating Democrat MJ Hegar.

However, Cornyn's tenure hasn't been without controversy. His involvement in a bipartisan proposal aimed at curbing mass shootings in 2022 led to a backlash from grassroots activists and resulted in him being booed at the state GOP convention in Houston.

Furthermore, his relationship with Paxton has been notably contentious. Cornyn, a former Texas attorney general himself, has been one of the few statewide leaders openly critical of Paxton amidst corruption allegations that led to Paxton's impeachment and subsequent acquittal in the Texas Senate.

When Cornyn announced his bid for the Republican leadership, Paxton took to X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Republicans deserve better in their next leader, and Texans deserve another conservative senator."

John Cornyn's re-election bid sparks wave of backlash on social media

The news of Cornyn's re-election bid sparked a wave of backlash on social media. On Facebook, one user bluntly stated, "Retire. Enough of old career politicians." Another added, "The evil of two lessers."

The discontent continued with a third user lamenting, "These ppl are dying of old age in the senate. We need younger generations to bring our country out of the Stone Age."

Another expressed frustration at the electorate, saying, "Thanks to the voters who keep voting the same people back into congress they are turning it into a nursing home and daycare center. We control term limits but it will never happen as long as people keep voting them back into congress."

On X, the reactions were just as critical. "Of course he does! No other jobs that he can make the kind of generational wealth like he does screwing over his voters every day!" tweeted one user. Another echoed the sentiment, writing, "No one should be in the U.S. Senate more than 12 years."

The criticism continued with a user branding Cornyn as "that worthless old bush owned @JohnCornyn has to go away. Just resign and go home old man. We’re tired of your pathetic weakness." Another tweet demanded, "Get that RINO out of here."

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