Foreign Policy
John Cornyn (R)
Cornyn is a senior Republican on Senate Foreign Relations and one of the Senate's most consistent China and Russia hawks across two decades, including authorship of multiple semiconductor export-control packages aimed at the PRC. He voted for the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Acts including the April 2024 $61B package, strongly supports Israel and Iron Dome funding, and is a primary author of multiple sanctions packages against Russia and Iran. He has consistently championed NATO expansion and AUKUS, opposed any framework that would require Ukraine to cede territory to end the war, and publicly opposed USMCA withdrawal. He has been openly critical — in measured language — of Trump's broadest tariffs as harmful to allied trade relationships. His foreign policy is the cleanest substantive break from Paxton in this primary, beyond the RFMA and BSCA votes.
Ken Paxton (R)
Paxton's campaign promises an 'America First foreign policy that promotes peace through strength, prioritizes our nation's interests first and foremost.' He has criticized Cornyn's votes on Ukraine aid but has not staked out specifics on the proposed Russia-Ukraine peace framework that would require Kyiv to cede territory. His campaign explicitly opposes 'sending billions to foreign countries and protecting the borders of other nations.' He has not publicly addressed Trump's consideration of USMCA withdrawal. Trump's endorsement specifically calls out Paxton's commitment to 'Support our Incredible Military/Veterans.'
Sources
- Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate, official campaign issues page, accessed May 2026. (full list)
- Sen. John Cornyn, official Senate website and 2026 re-election campaign issues page, accessed May 2026 (cornyn.senate.gov; johncornyn.com). (full list)
- Gabby Birenbaum, 'On the issues: A Q&A with Ken Paxton and John Cornyn,' Texas Tribune, April 20, 2026. (full list)
- Truth Social statement endorsing Paxton over Cornyn, May 19, 2026 (covered by CNBC, NBC News, Breitbart). (full list)
- Cornyn votes on Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations (April 2024, $61B package); Cornyn statements on Israel aid and Iron Dome funding; Senate Foreign Relations Committee record on NATO and AUKUS. (full list)
- Cornyn votes on USMCA (January 2020); Senate Finance Committee record on free-trade agreements; Cornyn statements on Trump-era tariffs (2018-2026) including measured opposition to broad agricultural tariffs harming Texas exporters. (full list)