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John Cornyn nabs early U.S. Chamber support as GOP aims to retain Senate

Texas Republican seeks fourth term amid economic headwinds, Trump backlash in a state evolving into a battleground.

Updated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday with Hegar campaign comment.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, aiming to avert Democratic control of the Senate, threw its support to Texas Sen. John Cornyn on Tuesday.

That’s no surprise. The three-term Republican is a reliable ally for business, with a 90% lifetime rating from the chamber.

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But the early endorsement, before Democrats have even settled on a nominee, reflects the chamber’s desire to shore up Texas -- long a GOP stronghold — in an election year overshadowed by pandemic-related upheaval.

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“We like his good strong pro-business conservative message. But we also know that we’re in a complex environment right now with the coronavirus and the economy,” said Scott Reed, the chamber’s chief political strategist. “The good news is the election’s not today….We need Texas in the safe category by Labor Day so we can focus on some other states.”

Republicans hold a 53-47 edge in the Senate. Democrats need to swing four seats to ensure control. President Donald Trump has struggled against former Vice President Joe Biden, and his sagging support could create headwinds for most fellow Republicans.

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“We see a scenario today where the Republicans still hang on by a seat or two,” Reed said.

In 2018, Texas’ junior senator, Ted Cruz, survived with just 51% against former El Paso congressman Beto O’Rourke — the closest any Republican has come to losing statewide in Texas since 1994.

Polls show that Cornyn is less polarizing, which cuts both ways. Enthusiasm among the GOP base is somewhat muted, but so is the ferocity on the other side.

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“Cornyn is in a very strong position,” Reed said, and that’s regardless of which Democrat wins the July 14 primary runoff between state Sen. Royce West of Dallas or former Air Force helicopter pilot MJ Hegar. “We’re big supporters…. He’s a conservative. He’s a problem-solver. And he’s like the mailman — he delivers.”

“We’re prepared to turn out the business community, no matter who his opponent is,” he said.

Hegar spokesman Jake Lewis called it “no surprise that Cornyn’s D.C. allies are rushing in. They see Cornyn’s abysmal approval ratings, know that he is in for the fight of his political career, and need to protect their investment. After all they can’t afford to lose a senator who has continually put their agenda ahead of the actual Texans he is supposed to represent.”

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, speaks with reporters at the Senate on Sept. 17, 2019.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, speaks with reporters at the Senate on Sept. 17, 2019.(Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post)

Republicans are on defense nationwide, in large part due to Trump’s anemic approval ratings. In Texas, which he carried by just 9 points, the worst showing for a GOP nominee since 1976, when Democrat Jimmy Carter won the state, recent polls show a dead heat.

“In parts of the state, he’s a big asset for Cornyn. And in other parts of the state Cornyn has to go create his own identity,” Reed said.

For the business community, loss of the Senate could mean major setbacks on regulatory reform, taxes, and energy policy — areas in which the chamber has been pleased with the Trump administration.

The Cornyn endorsement won’t come with ad buys or donations, at least not right away, though the incumbent doesn’t lack for resources. But the chamber will remind its members of Cornyn’s support on its agenda, most recently on the CARES Act and Paycheck Protection Programs enacted to mitigate shocks from the pandemic.

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Reed lauded the senator for “leading the charge on liability reform in the next legislative package”—a top priority to protect companies from potential lawsuits if workers or customers develop COVID-19 as the economy reopens.

West collected the endorsement of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston on Monday, and the most senior Black lawmaker in the House, Majority Whip Jim Clyburne, D-S.C., is scheduled to do a virtual fundraiser for him on Wednesday.

Last month, the chamber threw its weight behind Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls in the July 14 GOP primary runoff. He faces Kathaleen Wall, who has spent more than $4 million of her own money trying to replace retiring Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land.

The winner will face Democrat Sri Preston Kulkarni, who came within 5 points of Olson in 2018, in a suburban Houston district that was long a GOP stronghold.

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The chamber has also formally endorsed former Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne, who left her post as regional administration of the federal housing department to run for the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Kenny Marchant, R-Coppell. Democrats Kim Olson and Candace Valenzuela are vying in the July 14 primary runoff.