Rep. Eli Crane Backs Ken Paxton in Texas Senate Race Over John Cornyn

March 13, 2026
1:46 pm

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Rep. Eli Crane, the Arizona firebrand known for his unapologetic defense of Second Amendment rights and his no-nonsense approach to the deep state, just threw his weight behind Texas AG Ken Paxton in the high-stakes GOP Senate runoff against establishment stalwart Sen. John Cornyn. This endorsement isn't just another name on a list—it's a seismic signal in a race that's turning into a proxy war for the soul of the Republican Party, pitting populist warriors against the old guard. Crane, a Green Beret veteran who's sponsored key pro-2A legislation like the SHORT Act to crack down on pistol brace bans, sees Paxton as a kindred spirit: a fighter who's battled federal overreach from the Biden DOJ while Cornyn has played footsie with gun control compromises, from backing red flag laws to criticizing assault weapons in the wake of Uvalde. The context here is electric for the 2A community. Paxton, fresh off impeachments orchestrated by anti-Trump Republicans (which he crushed in acquittal), has a rock-solid record on gun rights—suing Biden over ATF rules, defending permitless carry, and vowing to shield Texans from federal infringements. Cornyn, meanwhile, co-authored the 2022 bipartisan gun bill that expanded background checks and funded red flag programs, earning him flak from NRA ranks and a primary challenge smelling like MAGA revenge. Crane's backing amplifies Paxton's momentum, especially after heavy hitters like Gun Owners of America and state Rep. Briscoe Cain jumped in, framing this as a litmus test: Will the Senate GOP prioritize constitutional carry and reciprocity nationwide, or cave to media-driven safety theater? For 2A patriots, the implications are huge—if Paxton topples Cornyn in May, it could flip Senate dynamics toward hardcore defenders like Crane himself, accelerating bills to nullify ATF regs, protect suppressors, and enshrine campus carry. A Cornyn win entrenches the squishy center, risking more bipartisan betrayals when the next school tragedy hits the headlines. This runoff is our Alamo: rally behind Paxton, or watch the establishment reload. Eyes on Texas—your rights hang in the balance.

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The context here is electric for the 2A community. Paxton, fresh off impeachments orchestrated by anti-Trump Republicans (which he crushed in acquittal), has a rock-solid record on gun rights—suing Biden over ATF rules, defending permitless carry, and vowing to shield Texans from federal infringements. Cornyn, meanwhile, co-authored the 2022 bipartisan gun bill that expanded background checks and funded red flag programs, earning him flak from NRA ranks and a primary challenge smelling like MAGA revenge. Crane’s backing amplifies Paxton’s momentum, especially after heavy hitters like Gun Owners of America and state Rep. Briscoe Cain jumped in, framing this as a litmus test: Will the Senate GOP prioritize constitutional carry and reciprocity nationwide, or cave to media-driven safety theater?

For 2A patriots, the implications are huge—if Paxton topples Cornyn in May, it could flip Senate dynamics toward hardcore defenders like Crane himself, accelerating bills to nullify ATF regs, protect suppressors, and enshrine campus carry. A Cornyn win entrenches the squishy center, risking more bipartisan betrayals when the next school tragedy hits the headlines. This runoff is our Alamo: rally behind Paxton, or watch the establishment reload. Eyes on Texas—your rights hang in the balance.

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