Swallowing Concerns, G.O.P. Senators Rally Behind Paxton

Ken Paxton won the Texas Senate primary after months of harsh attacks from a Senate Republican campaign operation. The attacks accused him of incompetence and condemned his personal behavior. After President Trump endorsed Paxton, Republican senators expressed anger, arguing that loyalty to Paxton could harm the party’s political interests and risk the Texas seat. Paxton then defeated Senator John Cornyn by nearly 30 points, making Texas a battleground state. Republicans responded with an abrupt change in tone, dropping earlier criticisms and publicly backing Paxton’s campaign. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he had spoken with Paxton, describing him as fully committed, already raising money, and preparing for the fall election.

"For months, the Senate Republican campaign operation eviscerated Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, who on Tuesday won the state's Senate primary, in official statements that attacked him for incompetence and branded his personal behavior truly repulsive and disgusting."

"And last week when President Trump endorsed Mr. Paxton, Republican senators were livid, grousing that the president had put his personal desire for loyalty above the party's political interests, potentially risking the Texas seat and the G.O.P.'s chances of holding the Senate."

"But after Mr. Paxton trounced Senator John Cornyn of Texas by close to 30 points on Tuesday night, transforming Texas into a battleground state, Republicans have performed a very awkward pivot. They quickly memory-holed months of scathing charges against Mr. Paxton that were as withering as any that Democrats might conjure up."

"We're making the pivot, Senator John Thune, Republican of South Dakota and majority leader, said in an interview on Wednesday with the conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, acknowledging the shift. Mr. Thune said he had already spoken with Mr. Paxton, whom he described as all in, ready to go for the fall election and not taking any time off, already on the phone raising money, and all the things you're going to have to do to be successful."

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