Summary
Two years after GOP Sen. Ted Cruz’s 3-point reelection victory, fellow Republican John Cornyn is taking his campaign for a fourth term seriously. MJ Hagar will be Cornyn’s democratic challenger in November.
We think the race for U.S. Senate in Texas leans toward the Republican candidate.
Politico 4/19/20
OnAir Post: Texas – US Senate 2020 Election
News
Hegar called Cornyn and conceded within minutes of the race being called, according to both campaigns. Cornyn gave a victory speech shortly after 9 p.m.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has defeated Democratic challenger MJ Hegar by a comfortable margin.
With an estimated 77% of the votes counted, Cornyn was leading Hegar by 8 percentage points, 52.6% to 45%. Decision Desk HQ declared Cornyn the winner earlier in the night when he was up by a point.
Libertarian Kerry McKennon was getting 1%, and Green Party candidate David Collins was garnering 0.7%.
The Cook Political Report on Wednesday moved the presidential race in Texas from “lean Republican” to “toss-up” on Wednesday, another indicator that the longtime Republican stronghold could finally turn blue in November.
The shift from the nonpartisan election handicapper comes as polling in the state shows Democratic nominee Joe Biden closing the margin with President Trump, who won the Lonestar State by 9 points over Hillary Clinton in 2016.
According to the RealClearPolitics polling average, Trump holds a 2.6-point lead in the state.
VOX , – October 20, 2020
Texas’s competitive Senate race is an omen of political change.
For the second election cycle in a row, a prominent Senate Republican is facing a tough reelection campaign in Texas — a state that was once regarded as reliably red but has become one of the nation’s biggest battlegrounds. But unlike in 2018, when Democrat Beto O’Rourke became a cause célèbre for his near-miss against the incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz, this year’s Senate race hasn’t captured the national spotlight.
That’s the way the two candidates — Sen. John Cornyn, a Republican seeking a fourth term, and his nascent Democratic challenger MJ Hegar — would probably prefer it. They have sought to make this race about Texas, rather than President Donald Trump. But in an especially polarized election year, national politics has nevertheless seeped into the race.
San Antonio Current , – October 14, 2020
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has shifted November’s U.S. Senate race in Texas from a “Likely Republican” rating to the less-of-a-sure-thing “Leans Republican” category.
The change reflects a solid fundraising gain by Democrat MJ Hegar, a decorated Air Force helicopter pilot who faces Sen. John Cornyn, a three-term GOP incumbent. While Hegar initially faced an uphill money battle, she raked in $13.5 million in the third quarter and has outspent her rival in airtime for the past two weeks.
Signaling concern in the Cornyn camp, the senator — who’s so far shown a reluctance to speak up against President Trump, even including his most outrageous public statements — recently told the Houston Chronicle that the commander in chief “let his guard down” on the pandemic, Cook reports.
Texas Tribune, – September 23, 2020
Incumbent John Cornyn is pitching himself as a “steady hand on the wheel.” Democratic challenger MJ Hegar says that hand is driving Texas toward a cliff.
Even before a pandemic struck, protests over racial justice took to the streets and a vacancy opened on the U.S. Supreme Court, this year’s U.S. Senate race was poised to be different from the last one in Texas.
John Cornyn is not as polarizing as Ted Cruz, the thinking went, and MJ Hegar is no Beto O’Rourke.
Add in a wave of news and other high-profile 2020 contests, and Texas voters are getting a much lower-octane race, a far cry from Cruz’s battle royale against O’Rourke and all its theatrics.
But that does not mean this year’s race is lacking in contrast.
Texas Tribune, – September 16, 2020
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a three-term Republican incumbent, and Democratic challenger MJ Hegar, answered the same set of questions for our “Split Decision” virtual debate series.
Before U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and his Democratic challenger, MJ Hegar, meet for their first official debate, we caught up with each of them virtually to see what they had to say on some of the issues important to Texans.
This is a race the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is targeting, committing at least $1 million to Hegar’s efforts to unseat the veteran lawmaker. Hegar, a former congressional candidate and Air Force helicopter pilot, beat state Sen. Royce West of Dallas in a July runoff. Cornyn, who was first elected to the Senate in 2002, sits on the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary committees.
The Texas Tribune interviewed Hegar on Aug. 28 and Cornyn on Sept. 3, asking each the same set of questions in separate virtual interviews.
In the first video of our 2020 “Split Decision” series, watch the two weigh in on the pandemic, the U.S. Postal Service, police reform and working with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, among other topics.
Texas Tribune, – September 10, 2020
Cornyn’s comments Thursday came in response to the recent revelation that the president intentionally downplayed the severity of the pandemic.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn suggested Thursday that President Donald Trump could have better balanced his initial response to the coronavirus pandemic between trying to keep calm and providing reliable information to the public.
Cornyn made the comments during a conference call with Texas reporters when asked about the recent revelation that Trump intentionally downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic. It came out earlier this week that Trump told as much to journalist Bob Woodward for a forthcoming book, saying he did not want to create a panic.
John Cornyn
Current Position: US Senator since 2003
Affiliation: Republican
Candidate: 2020 US Senator
Sen. Cornyn was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002, and is currently serving his third term after being reelected in 2008 and 2014. He sits on the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees, where he helps craft legislation on behalf of 28 million Texans.
From 2013 until 2018 Sen. Cornyn was chosen by his colleagues to serve as the Republican Whip, the second-highest ranking position in the Senate Republican Conference. A San Antonio native, Sen. Cornyn has served the people of Texas for the last three decades, as a district judge, a member of the Texas Supreme Court and Texas Attorney General, before representing the Lone Star State in the U.S. Senate.
For more information, see this John Cornyn post.
MJ Hagar
Current Position: Other
Affiliation: Democrat
Candidate: 2020 US Senator
Former Position(s): Combat pilot
A combat veteran, working mom, and Texan, MJ Hegar doesn’t back down from a fight when it means standing up for what’s right.
“We deserve a leader who represents Texas values: strength, courage, independence, putting our families first — because we sure as heck don’t value the weakness, partisanship, and gridlock that’s representing us now. So saddle up, Texas, because we’ve got work to do.”
For more information, see this MJ Hagar post.
Issues
Governance
John Cornyn
N/A
MJ Hegar
Whenever someone tells me they don’t understand why a bill passed or decision was made in Washington, I always tell them to follow the money. That’s because far too many of our elected leaders make decisions about what legislation to support or oppose based on who is writing the biggest campaign checks — from the gun lobby to private prisons to Big Pharma — instead of what is best for their constituents.
Americans are sick and tired of watching DC politicians put special interest donors and political games over the needs of the people. It is time to clean up our broken system and return the power back to people. That’s why I am refusing to accept any corporate PAC money and am proud to be endorsed by End Citizens United.
Once elected, I will make it a priority to overturn partisan gerrymandering schemes that further polarize our politics, fight the increasingly-common voter suppression tactics designed to keep people from exercising their right to participate in our democracy, and pass comprehensive campaign finance and ethics reforms that ensure Washington is accountable to the voters — and no one else.
We need real and sustained systemic fixes to our criminal justice and policing system.
Our criminal justice system denies fair legal representation and equitable treatment under the law to all Americans. We must pass comprehensive criminal justice reforms to combat racial and economic disparities throughout the system, including ending racial profiling and stop & frisk, and eliminating profit incentives for unfair arrests and ticketing.
We must also ensure that the outcomes of legal cases are not predicated on the legal representation people can afford or their skin color.
I support police reform solutions detailed in Campaign Zero, including ending for-profit policing practices, ensuring police departments are part of and representative of their communities, and that officers work closely with community members and organizations.
See post for more info.
Economy
John Cornyn
Science & Technology
“Our ability to innovate is crucial to the success of our economy and competitiveness with other countries. Investing in science and technology, and increasing our ability to innovate, is an important part of keeping the economy in Texas and America strong”.
Senator Cornyn believes innovation is crucial to our growing economy. Career and technical education are important building blocks that increase America’s competitiveness in a global economy, fostering workforce development here at home.
Instilling a strong foundation of the science, technology, education, and math (STEM) fields in our youth will help them succeed as citizens and individuals in any field they may choose. By investing in science and technology education initiatives, we equip new workers with valuable skills required for success — encouraging innovation and energizing our economy.
Agriculture
“Agriculture is vital to the Texas economy; one in seven jobs in our state is related to the agriculture industry. We must ensure that the United States continues to enjoy the safest and most abundant food supply in the world.”
Senator John Cornyn
Texas is the leading farming and ranching state, and one in seven jobs in Texas are related to the agriculture industry. Farming and ranching are sewn into the fabric of Texas history and agriculture remains a driver of the Texas economy, and Sen. Cornyn is committed to ensuring Texas agricultural producers have a voice in the Senate.
Texas is the leading farming and ranching state, and one in seven jobs in Texas are related to the agriculture industry. Farming and ranching are sewn into the fabric of Texas history and agriculture remains a driver of the Texas economy, and Sen. Cornyn is committed to ensuring Texas agricultural producers have a voice in the Senate.
Energy & Environment
“We need more energy. Government should get out of the way, let the free market work, and allow more domestic energy production. This would reduce gas prices even in the near-term, expand job opportunities in Texas — a world energy leader — and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”
Senator John Cornyn
Senator Cornyn is an ardent proponent of maximizing Texas’ and America’s energy resource potential as a comprehensive approach for our nation. In the Senate, he has supported efforts to encourage conservation while increasing the responsible production of our domestic sources of fossil fuels, and exploring alternative sources to make our nation more energy secure.
Texas is the nation’s leading producer of oil and natural gas, and Texas refineries make up almost 30 percent of the nation’s refinery capacity. Texas is also a trailblazer in the area of renewable energy, including wind, solar, and biomass, and our state leads the nation in wind-powered electricity generation capacity. The energy industry is creating millions of American jobs and helping to fuel our economic growth. Senator Cornyn knows that the keys to supporting our robust energy sector include creating a competitive tax and policy environment, providing for a trained workforce, and ensuring sensible regulation.
Senator Cornyn supports environmental policies that ensure economic viability while protecting public health. However, he opposes efforts by federal agencies to expand their regulatory reach beyond their legal authority. Under the Obama Administration, there were numerous examples of EPA overreach and abuse of authority. Senator Cornyn fought those efforts and believes environmental regulations should be based on the best available science and risk-based standards.
See post for more info.
MJ Hegar
I believe the country and our economy are stronger when our workers and their families are strong. Growing up, my mom worked three jobs just to pay the bills, and too many Texans face the same struggles today. That’s not the American dream. We need to raise wages and work to lower the cost of housing to ensure workers can provide for their families, and use tax credits and incentives to support small businesses instead of giving tax breaks to companies that ship their jobs overseas.
My stepfather, who raised me as his own, was killed in a workplace accident. Because of the safety standards won by the labor movement, fewer families have to go through that devastation. I am grateful for the hard-fought victories of the labor movement that have created safer and fairer workplaces, and will protect that progress as a senator — I’ll always support the rights of workers to unionize and collectively bargain for safe and healthy working conditions, fair wages, and to secure benefits and pensions. In addition, I will fight efforts to cut pensions, Social Security, and Medicare.
I believe in the promise of our country and the American dream, and that’s why it’s important to acknowledge that the scales have shifted to favor the rich and powerful over the working families that are left to contend with obscene medical costs, high rent and bills, student loan debt, and more. I opposed the 2017 tax cuts for big corporations and the wealthiest Americans, and would vote against any legislation that benefits corporations and the extremely wealthy while hurting working families trying to make ends meet.
Education
John Cornyn
Education
“Children are our nation’s most valuable resource, and it is essential that every child hasan equal opportunity to improve their future and develop to their fullest potential through a quality education”.
– Senator John Cornyn
As the father of two daughters educated in public schools, Senator Cornyn believes every child deserves the best start in life, and that means access to a first-class education system. He understands the necessity of helping all children achieve their potential and knows that good schools strengthen our society by giving young Texans a strong foundation to help them succeed as citizens and individuals.
Senator Cornyn understands the results we want for our children require accountability for education providers but that federal bureaucracy and red tape keep us from reaching it. That is why his efforts in the Senate are focused on providing states and local school districts the freedom to design innovative, educational programs that fit the needs of each child and individual school districts. He believes higher education provides individuals with opportunities for success and economic mobility, whether that means an associate’s degree, a workforce certification, or a bachelor’s degree and beyond. For this reason, he has supported expanding aid for low-income students, increasing dual-credit or early college courses, and implementing market-based reforms to federal loan interest rates to help students and parents.
MJ Hegar
Every child, regardless of where they come from or how much money their family makes, should have access to an affordable and quality education. I will advocate for Texas public schools and teachers, because I believe an investment in strong public schools is an investment in our nation’s future. Teachers, educators, and school staff deserve to be treated with respect and to be paid salaries worthy of the critical service they provide to society.
Far too many Texans struggle from crippling student loan debt. We must put an end to the government profiting off loans by lowering interest rates on student debt, while also ensuring all higher education — from apprenticeship programs to vocational training to degree programs — is more affordable for current and future students. Texans I’ve spoken to have told me that the requirement for an immediate start to repayment of student loans upon graduation or disenrollment has led to underemployment. Every student loan should have a grace period of at least several months during which the loan does not accrue interest, and that period should be paused if the individual enrolls in another course of training like pursuing a certificate or vocation.
While a college degree is one avenue for achieving financial security, we also need to encourage support for and investment in vocational programs. Vocational programs expand trades sectors, which often provide secure, high-paying union jobs. Those working in these jobs have always been and will continue to be the backbone of our nation and the driving force toward improving our country’s infrastructure.
Environment
John Cornyn
N/A
MJ Hegar
As the mother of two little boys, climate change is one of the top reasons I decided to run for Senate. Climate change is one of the greatest threats to the health and safety of our communities, the world we are leaving for the next generation, and our national security. We cannot wait any longer to take action.
In Texas, we are witnessing firsthand the effects of climate change. We’ve seen devastating hurricanes like Harvey, and multiple catastrophic, “500-year” floods in a matter of a few years. The status quo is not sustainable.
We must set aggressive goals for the expansion of clean, renewable energy, and invest in clean energy manufacturing and sustainable transportation. Texas has the opportunity to be America’s leader in wind and solar energy, and we should use our natural, renewable resources to create jobs here in our state.
We also must modernize our energy grid so it is equipped to handle increased load during peak usage.
Health Care
John Cornyn
Fixing a broken system
“Obamacare is bad for everyone in the country, which is why I have fought it at every turn.”
Senator John Cornyn
Our health care system is broken, but Obamacare, with its prohibitive costs and job-killing policies, isn’t the answer. Rather than waste any more time propping up a costly and unworkable system, we should focus on health reform that brings down costs, increases the quality of and access to care, and preserves the patient-doctor relationship.
MJ Hegar
The rising cost of health care is the number one issue I hear about from Texans on the campaign trail. Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation, and that’s unacceptable. Our current system is one of sky-high costs and inefficiencies. We must create a public option to make Medicare available for all those who want it. The best health care I’ve ever had was when I was on military-provided Tricare, similar to Medicare, and I believe that kind of high-quality care should be made available to all Americans. Every child should be covered, period.
We can and must protect the progress made by the Affordable Care Act while making much-needed improvements. We cannot go back to the past when insurance companies were able to discriminate against those with preexisting conditions or sell junk plans that leave folks vulnerable when serious health issues or injuries occur.
As your senator, I will stand up for Texans against special interests who put profits over people. Far too many folks here in Texas struggle to afford their prescriptions. I will advocate for measures to lower the cost of prescription drugs like allowing Medicare to negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, I believe we must hold Big Pharma interests accountable for their part in the opioid epidemic that has ravaged so many communities here in Texas and beyond.
I will oppose any effort to privatize, dismantle or undercut Medicare, including raising the eligibility age. Medicare and Social Security are not entitlements – they are promises made to every American. I will also oppose any “age tax” insurance companies seek to impose against older Americans.
Immigration
John Cornyn
Immigration & Border Security
“We must take immediate action to secure our borders and to fix our broken immigration system. The people of Texas demand results, not more broken promises from Washington.”
Senator John Cornyn
As a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee which handles immigration and border security issues, Sen. Cornyn is a leader on issues that affect the lives of Texans every day. He strongly believes that securing our southern border must be a top priority in dealing with our national security and our broken immigration system. Sen. Cornyn believes common-sense reforms are needed to improve legal immigration and increase the flow of legitimate trade and travel through our ports of entry.
MJ Hegar
For decades, career politicians have refused to fix our broken immigration system, and the consequences of their finger-pointing and inaction directly affect our day-to-day lives in Texas. We need to roll up our sleeves, collaborate with our border communities on solutions, and bring some common sense to the issue.
That means starting with permanently ending child separation, ensuring asylum seekers are not treated as criminals and their claims are properly processed, securing the border with effective procedures and technologies instead of wasting billions on an ineffective wall that would require robbing our military budget while seizing land from Texans, and building a path to citizenship for undocumented residents that prioritizes our security and reflects our core values as Americans — such as human dignity and our respect for the right of mankind to the pursuit of happiness.
The increasing spread of anti-immigrant, white nationalist ideology is a serious threat to our safety, as proven by the shooting in El Paso that targeted Hispanic members of our community. I took an oath to support and defend our Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, so I want to be crystal clear: we must mobilize against this epidemic of domestic terrorism here at home. I will always stand against this type of hateful rhetoric that has real consequences, and will call on elected leaders who amplify white nationalist rhetoric and racist dog-whistles to take ownership of the impact of their words and reverse course.
Safety
John Cornyn
Crime & Law Enforcement
“Fighting dangerous criminals and providing justice to victims are some of our most important commitments. I will always stand strong for our law enforcement officers, making sure they have the resources needed to keep Texas safe and secure.”
Senator John Cornyn
Sen. Cornyn knows firsthand the dedication of the men and women who protect our fellow Texans. While serving as Attorney General of Texas, the state’s chief law enforcement officer, Sen. Cornyn created and backed numerous initiatives to strengthen law enforcement, including the groundbreaking Texas Exile program, which increases penalties for criminal gun use by convicted felons, and the Texas Internet Bureau, which targets child predators and human traffickers.
Senator Cornyn has taken his Texas experience to the United States Senate, advocating for issues that bolster law enforcement through his work on the Judiciary Committee. He believes that local, state, and federal authorities must work together as partners to enforce the law, and that they must be given the legal tools and funding resources necessary to do their jobs well. He believes policymakers in Washington, D.C. can learn many commonsense lessons from the successes of the Texas criminal justice system.
Click here for information on Senator Cornyn’s bill, the Fix NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) Act.
MJ Hegar
Multiple mass shootings have devastated Texas in recent years, and I believe it is well past time to take action to finally end the epidemic of gun violence.
We must pass common-sense gun safety legislation to require background checks on every single gun sale, including closing the gun show loophole — a proposal that a recent Washington Post-ABC News survey found was supported by 88% of gun owners.
We must also stop the sale of assault weapons to the public, pass red flag laws limiting access to firearms for domestic abusers — including closing the “boyfriend loophole” — and those who would commit acts of domestic terrorism, and fully fund the CDC to reverse the damage of the decades-long ban on gun violence research.
I am also calling for state and local officials to end open carry. The reasons gun owners like me have for wanting to protect our Second Amendment rights — chief among them protecting our families — are not served by open carry. Open carry itself is an assault on every bystander within range, as we feel the need to flee and cover our children without the freedom to call law enforcement for help. We must empower people to “see something, say something.”
The gun violence epidemic in this country reaches beyond the tragic mass shootings into our homes through domestic violence, accidental shootings, and suicides. As your senator, I will use my perspective as a mother, responsible gun owner, and combat veteran in my work to pass urgently-needed legislation to protect our communities.
Veterans
John Cornyn
Military & Veterans
“As the son of a veteran, I am personally dedicated to looking out for the interests of all military personnel, active and retired, who call Texas home. The honor-bound agreement between our men and women in uniform and our nation does not end at retirement. No veteran should ever be forgotten.”
Senator John Cornyn
Senator Cornyn learned the value of patriotic service to our country from his father who spent 31 years in the military, beginning as a B-17 pilot in World War II. Growing up in an Air Force family and moving from base to base, Sen. Cornyn saw firsthand the sacrifices made by those who dedicate themselves to defending freedom at home and abroad.
Senator Cornyn knows our nation can never do enough to repay those who have selflessly served and sacrificed for our country. He is committed to making certain that our nation’s active duty, National Guard, and Reserve military forces receive the best training, equipment, and education, and that our veterans receive the highest-quality health care, services, and benefits they so rightly deserve.
Texas is home to almost one in every 12 U.S. service members, as well as 15 major military installations and several defense production facilities that manufacture critical military aircraft vital to sustaining American air superiority. These programs are good for Texas and good for America, providing thousands of high-paying jobs while producing the tools our military needs to dominate the modern battlefield and keep our nation safe.
MJ Hegar
As a United States Air Force veteran who served three tours of duty in Afghanistan, I understand what our military and their families go through in a way that most politicians in DC can’t. We have a responsibility to the next generation that will wear our uniform: to give them the most stable global environment we possibly can.
I will support responsible national security policies that recognize the value of seeking diplomatic solutions and employing strategic use of humanitarian assistance and trade negotiations, while insisting we reserve the deployment of American troops as a last resort. I believe a healthy State Department is our military’s first line of defense, and our relationships with our allies are fragile and critical to maintain.
In addition, I know firsthand how difficult the transition back into civilian life can be. As your senator, I will always seek to make good on our promise to our service members by ensuring they receive quality health care, housing assistance, and help starting careers or businesses as they return from serving our country. I will stand against efforts to privatize the VA while supporting initiatives to streamline services for veterans to get better care when they need it. With record-high suicide rates and deployments than can strain family relationships, it’s critical we provide adequate mental health care to address the unique struggles of those who serve.
My military service informs my view on government. When I think about my fellow soldiers who were with me the day my helicopter was shot down by the Taliban and how we worked together to complete our mission and get to safety, I think about how our government could take some cues from what we learn in the military. Unity, teamwork, and a shared mission is the only way to succeed.
