U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt from Texas is considering entering the state's Republican primary for a Senate seat, adding intrigue to an already significant midterm election. Hunt recently met with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Political Director James Blair to discuss a potential Senate bid. This meeting took place shortly after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced his own challenge against four-term Senator John Cornyn.
In support of Hunt's Senate aspirations, a political action committee is running advertisements that promote his biography across various Texas cities, extending even to Washington D.C. and West Palm Beach, Florida, the location of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence. These ads indicate a strategic effort to boost Hunt's visibility beyond his Houston-area district.
A Hunt candidacy could help alleviate concerns among national and Texas Republicans about Cornyn, whose previous criticisms of Trump and support for gun regulations have alienated some members of the Republican base in Texas. Furthermore, Hunt's entry may raise questions regarding Paxton, who is currently under scrutiny following impeachment proceedings and a federal investigation related to potential misuse of his office to benefit a political donor, despite being a powerful figure within the state's GOP.
However, Hunt's potential candidacy also complicates dynamics for Trump, who will be faced with the challenge of endorsing one or more candidates in a divided field, risking alienating parts of his base that may support different contenders. Notably, Hunt has campaigned on Trump's behalf and is known to be closely aligned with Trump’s political team, having attended specific events targeting Black male voters.
Hunt, a graduate of West Point and Cornell University, has served two terms in the House of Representatives. His military background includes piloting Apache helicopters during the Iraq War. His rise in political stature began with Trump’s endorsement in a contested GOP House primary in 2020, even though he initially lost. He successfully won a seat in the House two years later and has represented affluent Republican areas in his district, including Houston’s River Oaks neighborhood as well as working-class segments of Harris County.
Hunt was quick to endorse Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, doing so just two days after Trump announced his candidacy on November 15, 2022. He campaigned nationally for Trump and was awarded a prime-time speaking slot at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in the summer. Furthermore, Trump recognized Hunt during an April 8 event at the White House, praising his commercial that aired on television during the same week Paxton entered the Senate race.
Cornyn, who holds a significant legislative track record, has operated in elected office in Texas for decades. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has directly encouraged Trump to endorse Cornyn, emphasizing the importance of supporting incumbent senators who serve their states effectively. However, Cornyn's reputation among certain segments of Texas Republicans has suffered due to his distancing from Trump after the events of January 6, 2021, despite voting against the impeachment of Trump.
On the other hand, Paxton has demonstrated unwavering support for Trump and has a stronger appeal within the base. He launched his campaign on April 8, vowing to challenge what he termed “career politicians” in Washington and has attacked Cornyn for his support of bipartisan gun control measures following the tragic Uvalde elementary school shooting in 2022. Both the Cornyn and Paxton campaigns have refrained from commenting on Hunt's intentions, while an inquiry to the White House regarding Hunt’s meeting and Trump’s endorsement plans went unanswered.
