Rick Perry: Why I am supporting John Cornyn in the U.S. Senate primary

Texas' senior senator speaks softly but carries a big stick for conservative issues, says the former governor.

Op-ed by Rick Perry

I had the privilege of serving Texas as governor for 15 years, and in that time, I learned what it takes to fight for the Lone Star State’s values, economy and way of life.

That is why I’m proud to throw my full support behind U.S. Sen. John Cornyn for reelection to the United States Senate. John isn’t simply one senator out of 100. He’s a steadfast defender of Texas, a principled conservative and a leader who gets results.

Let me share why he’s the right man to keep representing us in Washington.

First off, he has never forgotten where he comes from. John’s Texas roots run deep. He was born in Houston, raised in San Antonio, and he’s a proud graduate of Trinity University and St. Mary’s School of Law.

John understands our core values – freedom, faith and hard work – and he’s spent his career defending them.

From his days as a district judge to Texas Supreme Court justice to Texas attorney general, and now as our senior U.S. senator, John’s been a consistent voice for limited government, life, secure borders and unleashing the power of the private sector.

When it comes to results, John Cornyn delivers. He has repeatedly advanced the Lone Star State’s priorities and earned a reputation for steady leadership.

John has led the charge to keep taxes low, cut red tape and unleash Texas’ full energy potential. From oil and gas to wind and solar, Texas is an energy powerhouse and he’s fought to keep it that way. I saw it up close as governor and then as energy secretary in President Trump’s first Cabinet: John stands firm for the policies that keep our oil rigs pumping and freedom gas fueling our economy.

John fights to bring federal dollars home – securing critical funding for Texas ports, highways and infrastructure. And when disaster hits, whether it’s Hurricane Harvey or heartbreaking floods in Central Texas, he moves fast to make sure Texans get the federal support they need.

When it comes to our military, John’s rock-solid. Since leaving public office, I’ve made it my mission to expand veterans’ access to mental health care— and John’s been a key ally every step of the way. He stands up for those who served and fights to strengthen vital bases like Fort Hood and Joint Base San Antonio. John makes sure our troops have the tools, training and support they need to keep America safe.

I’ve been fed up with Washington in the past, too. But not lately and never with John Cornyn. John embodies the old saying, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” He may not be the loudest voice in the room, but he’s the one who gets results.

Take border security. Long before it became a national crisis, John Cornyn was sounding the alarm — fighting for a border wall, more agents and cutting-edge surveillance. He’s worked across the aisle to fund Border Patrol and crack down on illegal immigration. Most importantly, this year he delivered: $11 billion in federal funding to reimburse Texas for years of doing the federal government’s job while Washington looked the other way.

With steady, quiet power, he delivers where it counts.

As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, John’s been a firewall against activist judges who’d rewrite our laws from the bench. And when Big Tech tried to censor conservative voices, John was among the first to call them out, demanding transparency and fairness.

In a world where our values are under attack, we need a fighter like John who’ll stand tall without bending to the woke mob.

President Trump won Texas by 13% in 2024. Texas is Trump country. Texas deserves a U.S. senator who partners with the Trump administration, while also working effectively to represent the interests of our state. During the time President Trump has been in office, Sen. Cornyn has voted 99.2% of the time with President Trump. And he is regularly rated as one of the most effective U.S. senators.

Some ask, “Why not a new face?” Because experience matters – and in this Senate race, character matters even more. John Cornyn is a man of his word. When he makes a promise – whether to his constituents or the Almighty – he keeps it. His record, his resolve, and his deep loyalty to Texas prove it every time.

So, let’s send him back to Washington to keep fighting for us.

Rick Perry served as governor of Texas from 2000-2015.