Cornyn Creates Faith Advisory Group as Paxton Attacks His Character

The longtime senator faces a fierce Republican runoff with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Sen. John Cornyn has announced the creation of a new faith advisory council, featuring several prominent North Texas evangelical leaders who are publicly vouching for his morality and conservative credentials as he faces a fierce Republican runoff with Attorney General Ken Paxton. Cornyn has sought to make personal conduct a central theme of the race, releasing a digital ad that lays out a timeline of allegations against Paxton, including accusations of infidelity and his impeachment by the Texas House.

Why it matters

Evangelical and born-again Christian voters represent a key bloc in Republican primaries, and Paxton has enjoyed strong support from this base. Cornyn's move to assemble a faith advisory council suggests an effort to shore up his standing with this crucial voting group as he battles Paxton.

The details

Cornyn's faith advisory council includes three pastors from the Dallas-Fort Worth area: Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, and Gus Reyes of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference in Arlington. The other council members are Phil Schubert of Abilene Christian University and Max Lucado of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. In a letter, the council members said they will support 'Cornyn as he operates as a statesman, comporting himself with grace and dignity worthy of the office he holds.' Paxton, who was acquitted by the state Senate, has painted Cornyn as an establishment figure, offering little more than lip service to President Trump's 'America First' agenda.

  • Cornyn announced the creation of the faith advisory council on March 10, 2026.
  • The Republican primary runoff between Cornyn and Paxton is scheduled for May 26, 2026.

The players

John Cornyn

A longtime U.S. Senator from Texas who is facing a fierce Republican runoff with Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Ken Paxton

The Texas Attorney General who is challenging Cornyn in the Republican primary runoff.

Robert Jeffress

The pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas and a member of Cornyn's faith advisory council.

Jack Graham

The pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano and a member of Cornyn's faith advisory council.

Gus Reyes

The president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference in Arlington and a member of Cornyn's faith advisory council.

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What they’re saying

“Scripture teaches that those who aspire to lead should be held to a higher moral standard.”

— Faith Advisory Council (Dallas Morning News)

“We're encouraging that.”

— John Cornyn, U.S. Senator (Dallas Morning News)

What’s next

The Republican primary runoff between Cornyn and Paxton is scheduled for May 26, 2026. The winner will face the Democratic nominee, state Rep. James Talarico of Austin, in the general election.

The takeaway

Cornyn's creation of a faith advisory council suggests an effort to shore up support among evangelical and born-again Christian voters, a crucial bloc in Republican primaries, as he battles Paxton for the GOP nomination. The race has become increasingly personal, with both candidates attacking each other's character and conduct.