Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was the unofficial guest of honor at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where hundreds of right-wing activists from around the country hailed him as Republicans' clear choice for the Senate.
He met with supporters behind closed doors, gave the keynote address at the Ronald Reagan dinner and held court during a private reception where people lined up for handshakes and photos.
Audiences cheered for Paxton and booed any mention of Sen. John Cornyn, Paxton's opponent in the May 26 runoff.
If Paxton wins the nomination, it will be because of support from his party's fervent grassroots base.
That rock-solid foundation rescued Paxton's political career after he was impeached — but acquitted — for corruption charges by the Texas Legislature three years ago.
"I want you to know, there's only one reason I got through all that, and it's by the grace of God," he said in his Friday night speech as a wave of applause rolled through the hall. "He absolutely delivered me, and he used the people of Texas to deliver me."
Neither Paxton nor Cornyn won enough votes in the March 3 primary to clinch the nomination outright.
Although Cornyn has raised far more money and is backed by the party establishment in Washington, Paxton's well-honed survival skills could lead him to victory.
The winner will face Democrat James Talarico, a state lawmaker, in what will be one of the most closely watched Senate races as Republicans try to retain their grip of Congress.
Cornyn did not attend CPAC, which was held at a resort and convention center near Dallas. Paxton was the overwhelming favorite in CPAC's straw poll, beating Cornyn by more than three to one, and he won the organization's endorsement.
President Donald Trump promised that he would endorse either Paxton or Cornyn weeks ago, but no announcement ever came.
Paxton, however, has had no trouble proving his bona fides with the party's right wing.
"The real benefit of Paxton is that he is more an ally of Trump," said Luke Brown, a 21-year-old college student from Amarillo, Texas. "There's got to be a change for newer conservatives. ... I have respect for Cornyn. I just think it's time for someone more conservative."
Although Cornyn finished first in the primary, which also included Rep. Wesley Hunt, Paxton swiftly appealed to Trump by embracing the SAVE America Act, which would mean proof-of-citizenship requirements for voting. The proposal is a priority for the president, but it has stalled in the Senate because Republican leaders do not want to lift the filibuster.
Paxton said he would consider stepping aside if the legislation passed and accused Cornyn of being a "coward."
About a week later, Cornyn reversed his position on the filibuster and wrote in an op-ed that "I support whatever changes to Senate rules that may prove necessary."
Paxton crowed about the shift during his reception on Saturday.
"Unfortunately, John Cornyn has never been focused on this issue until right now, when I called him out on it," he told supporters.
Cornyn's campaign representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Joe Ropar, a 72-year-old defense contractor who attended CPAC, described Paxton's ability to preempt Cornyn as "brilliant."
"Cornyn's trying to change his stripes now," Ropar said. "It's too little too late."
While Cornyn did not attend CPAC, which was held at a resort and convention center near Dallas, Paxton was extolled by speakers throughout the event.
"Ken Paxton is emblematic of the grassroots of the MAGA movement across the nation," said Steve Bannon, a former Trump adviser who hosts the "War Room" podcast, referring to Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan.
Earlier Friday, CPAC senior fellow Mercedes Schlapp polled the crowd. Asking for a show of support for Paxton, there was a roar of cheers. When she asked about Cornyn, there was a light ripple of boos.
Paxton reminded conservatives of another connection with Trump: They both have portrayed themselves as the victims of political persecution. While Paxton was impeached and acquitted once, Trump went through the process twice during his first term.
Some conservative Republicans hold other grudges against Cornyn. They remember his early criticism of Trump's proposal for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border in 2016, his co-sponsoring of gun control legislation after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022, and his dismissive remarks about Trump's comeback campaign in 2024.
Retired music teacher Valerie Burge, 58, said she voted for Cornyn in the primary because of his long service.
"But I'm not sure about the runoff," she said. "It might be time for something new."
Barbara Palmer, a 65-year-old lawyer, said Cornyn has simply been in office too long. He has been a judge, state Supreme Court justice and state attorney general, and now he wants a fifth term as senator.
"It's just time for a change," Palmer said.
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