Amid a vigorous intraparty fight to remain in the U.S. Senate, John Cornyn’s (R-TX) connections to a far-left voter group are reemerging at an inopportune time.
Cornyn has previously praised the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), one of the plaintiffs suing to stop the implementation of Texas’s new congressional map. Gov. Greg Abbott signed new districts into law last month, a momentous overhaul that almost certainly nets U.S. House Republicans five seats in next year’s midterm elections.
In an Aug. 18 motion, LULAC and other plaintiffs in the case argue the Republican-led plan is “egregiously unconstitutional” and asked for an expedited September hearing that may result in a preliminary injunction. The group contends that the new map weakens Latino communities’ voting power in Texas.
Back in 2026, Cornyn was presented with an award by LULAC at its annual gala.
“I’ve worked with LULAC for quite a few years,” Cornyn said in a newly surfaced video. He called the group “one of those rare organizations that tries to find common bonds to unite people behind a common cause.”
Critics of Cornyn immediately denounced his praise for a group, which now jeopardizes his ability to win next year’s Republican primary. He faces Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in what will undoubtedly be the most difficult reelection campaign of his political career.
In addition to blocking the GOP-led redistricting map, LULAC has drawn the ire of conservatives for supporting abortion access for minorities and promoting DEI initiatives.
Cornyn’s bipartisan 2022 gun reform legislation was praised by LULAC state director Rodolfo Rosales Jr. at the time.
“Finally, we are coming together for the common good of our nation on gun law reforms,” Rosales said. “This is not about infringing the rights of anyone. Rather, it is about ensuring the rights of all Americans to ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ without fearing someone with a firearm unleashing unimaginable terror on a community.”
Polls show Cornyn tied or trailing Paxton. In response, the four-term senator has warned Texas Republicans that Paxton is too far-right to win the state’s general election, and that they would be handing the seat to a Democrat.
“The last thing we need to do is provide an opportunity for Democrats to get a beachhead in Texas,” said Cornyn last month. “Which, depending on how the primary turns out, could happen. That would be the end of Texas being red.”
Meanwhile, critics continue to pile on Cornyn, who has not addressed LULAC’s filing in the suit, the Dallas Morning News reported.
“Who would be proud to receive an award from a far-left organization? Oh that’s right, John Cornyn,” Alex Duncan wrote on X. Another user added, “Of course he accepted an award from the same organization that is suing to stop redistricting in Texas.”
