In the clearest indication yet that Republicans don’t want to run against decorated combat veteran MJ Hegar, Senator John Cornyn’s campaign launched a new radio ad yesterday backed by a nearly six-figure buy as part of a last-ditch attempt to save himself from facing MJ in November. Cornyn can’t run on his record doing the bidding of his party leaders and special interest donors, so he’s resorted to deceptive smears against MJ, a working mom and Purple Heart recipient who served three tours in Afghanistan, to try to elevate another candidate in the Democratic runoff.
It makes sense that Republicans are increasingly nervous about this race:
After nearly two decades in Washington, Cornyn is unknown and vulnerable — and all signs point to Texas becoming yet another massive headache for Republicans on a Senate map where they cannot afford more defensive liabilities.
“Senator Cornyn is meddling in the Democratic runoff in a blatant attempt to undermine MJ Hegar because he’s scared to run against her and he knows Texas is becoming a more competitive battleground by the day,” said DSCC spokesperson Stewart Boss. “This desperate political maneuvering from Senator Cornyn shows a total lack of confidence in his campaign but it will remind voters that MJ is the candidate who’s making Republicans nervous because she has the momentum, the operation, and the grassroots support to flip this seat.”
Senate Republicans have tried – and failed – to interfere in other Democratic primaries this cycle to avoid facing the strongest general election candidate. A Super PAC linked to Mitch McConnell wasted $3 million against decorated veteran Cal Cunningham in North Carolina, who won his primary decisively earlier this year despite the GOP onslaught. Cunningham has since led Tillis in most recent polling and outraised the incumbent — which is exactly what Cornyn is worried about in Texas.
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