Cornyn Accuses 'Crooked Ken' of 'Funding the Left' in new ad

In a new advertisement, Senator John Cornyn's (R) re-election campaign accuses Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) of "funding the left."

Senator John Cornyn’s re-election campaign released its first negative ad this week, targeting Attorney General Paxton and accusing him of funneling millions to far-left activist groups during his tenure as the state’s top prosecutor.

The advertisement, titled “Crooked Ken: Funding the Left,” comes after a poll from a Cornyn-aligned super PAC showed Attorney General Paxton leading the senatorial race by double digits.

The Cornyn campaign has launched a five-figure social media ad buy to amplify the advertisement against Attorney General Paxton.

“The Office of the Attorney General under Ken Paxton has given over $7 million in grants to 13 organizations that provide legal aid to illegal immigrants, promote DEI and ESG values and provide ‘gender affirming’ resources to children as young as seven,” said Senator Cornyn’s senior adviser Matt Mackowiak. “These left wing groups do not represent our conservative Texas values.”

Senator Cornyn’s campaign argues that the grants were issued under Attorney General Paxton’s watch through the attorney general's Crime Victims Compensation program and other initiatives supporting rape crisis centers and sexual assault survivors.

The Montrose Center, a group cited in the ad, reportedly promotes gender-affirming care and DEI policies. American Gateways is another group cited in the ad, and they’re accused of helping illegal immigrants avoid deportation.

Attorney General Paxton responded to the accusations, accusing Senator Cornyn of “a new low.”

On social media, Senator Cornyn continued the assault, calling on his political rival to provide an answer to Texans.

"Can you explain to the taxpayers of Texas how $7.1M was approved by your office that went to radical left wing groups that provide legal aid to illegal immigrants, promote DEI and ESG values, and provide 'gender affirming' resources to children as young as seven?" the Senator questioned on X. "Are you even at work in Austin running your office? Let me know if we can order Dave P and Uber to get you there."

Attorney General Paxton responded to Senator Cornyn on X, explaining that "That money is awarded through blind grants to reimburse non-profits solely for the use of helping crime victims."

"John Cornyn loves being a senator more than he values honesty. Only a desperate campaign would try to score political points on the backs of sexual assault survivors," he countered.