John Cornyn
John Cornyn III
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Who is this?
John Cornyn III ( KOR-nin; born February 2, 1952) is an American politician and former judge who is the senior United States senator for Texas, a seat he has held since 2002. He is a member of the Republican Party. Born in Houston, Cornyn is a graduate of Trinity University, St. Mary's University School of Law, and the University of Virginia School of Law. He was a judge on Texas's 37th District Court from 1985 to 1991, an associate justice of the Texas Supreme Court from 1991 to 1997, and Attorney General of Texas from 1999 to 2002. He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002. During his tenure, Cornyn chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee from 2009 to 2013 and served as the Senate Republican whip from 2013 to 2019. Cornyn has been described as an establishment Republican. Although considered conservative by voting record, he has a reputation for bipartisan negotiation on gun legislation and immigration reform. In 2022, he helped negotiate passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, for which he was rebuked by the Republican Party of Texas. Cornyn ran for re-election in 2026. After narrowly coming in first place but failing to receive more than 50% in the Republican primary, he went to a runoff against Texas attorney general Ken Paxton. Cornyn lost renomination in the May runoff, receiving approximately 36% of the vote. Cornyn is the first incumbent Texas senator to lose renomination since 1970.
Career
- 1952Born
- 2015Won James Madison Award
Trivia
- •Place of birth: Houston
- •Citizenship: United States
- •Known as: politician, lawyer, judge
What happened recently
Cornyn Questions Jamieson Greer on Decreasing Reliance on China for Critical Minerals & Rare Earths
Epstein survivor calls Cornyn’s vote to advance Blanche nomination ‘really depressing’
Sen. Cornyn Plans to Vote to Advance AG Nominee Blanche and Says DOJ Needs a "Stabilizing Force" - C
Cornyn Votes to Advance Blanche Nomination for Attorney General in Judiciary Committee
Texas senator betrayed by Trump slammed for giving shocking reason why Congress can’t stop president
GOP Sens. Tillis, Cornyn on why they now back Blanche for AG; Dem Sen. Whitehouse on opposition
Cornyn, Tillis Announce Agreement with Blanche on Anti-Weaponization Fund, IRS Settlement - Senator Cornyn (.gov)
Cornyn and Tillis back Blanche for attorney general after deal on "anti-weaponization" fund
Cornyn reaches deal to scrap DOJ anti-weaponization fund, ending Blanche standoff
Senate appears ready to advance Todd Blanche for attorney general after Cornyn strikes deal
John Cornyn wins showdown with Trump administration over 'anti-weaponization fund'
Cornyn reaches deal on ‘anti-weaponization fund’ to allow Blanche nomination to advance
John Cornyn’s unmet demands imperil Trump’s U.S. attorney general nomination
Cornyn says there’s no deal on Blanche attorney general nomination: ‘They know what they have to do’
Epstein accusers urge Tillis, Cornyn not to confirm Blanche after meeting with him
Fundraising Update: Senator John Cornyn just disclosed $504.0K of new fundraising
Cornyn and Tillis in discussions with White House to get Blanche across the finish line
GOP Senators Cornyn and Cassidy Criticize President's Focus on Election Security Instead of Affordability - C
John Cornyn Rips Trump’s Obsession With Election that ‘Happened Six Years Ago’ As Midterms Approach
Texas Sen. John Cornyn appears on the fence about Todd Blanche’s nomination to be Trump’s attorney general
Todd Blanche’s chances of becoming attorney general could hinge on John Cornyn
Cornyn noncommittal on Blanche attorney general nomination after pressing him in hearing
Republican Senator Shreds Todd Blanche's Statements About Trump's Slush Fund
