Cornyn Says He Will Finally Endorse Ted Cruz

Senator John Cornyn said he is supporting his colleague Ted Cruz in his 2018 re-election campaign. The senior senator from Texas also announced he will seek re-election to his fourth term in 2020.

“I think it’s really important, particularly in light of the challenges brought by this huge natural disaster, that we stand together as a Texas delegation and there’s no space between Sen. Cruz and me when it comes to doing work for our state,” Cornyn told Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith. “So I told him I’d support him in his re-election, and I think it’s important to do so to send the message that Texans, when it comes to something like the recovery after this natural disaster, that we are going to stand together and not be distracted.”

The announcement came at the end of the Texas Tribune Festival, a two-day event featuring political newsmakers from across the country.

Senator Cornyn previously said he was “not going to get involved in any primary races, particularly with my colleagues in the Senate.” Cruz also withheld his endorsement of Cornyn during the senator’s 2014 re-election campaign.

Senator Cruz also appeared on the stage with Cornyn and spoke about his opponent, U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX). “I don’t think Texans want a far-left Democrat in the Senate,” Cruz told the audience.

O’Rourke took the stage on Saturday and was asked about his criminal record. He responded that it was “up to the voters” to decide what weight to place on his encounters on the wrong side of the law.

In 1996 police arrested O’Rourke fro breaking and entering. The congressman now refers to that as a “prank gone awry.” Three years later police arrested him again fro drunken driving, the Washington Post reported.

.@BetoORourke on his previous run-ins with the law: “I really fucked up.” #TribFest17 #txsen

— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) September 23, 2017

The Texas senators took the stage together to close out the Tribune Festival.

Cornyn talked about his job as the Senate Majority Whip and his intention to continue serving as the senior senator from Texas.

“I’m the vote-counter for the Senate, the majority whip, and I think it’s frankly helpful given my seniority and my position in leadership to continue to serve as long as the people of Texas will have me,” Cornyn said.