Chamber of Commerce endorses Cornyn for reelection

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced its support for Sen. John Cornyn’s (R-Texas) reelection on Tuesday as it steps up its efforts to help Republicans hold the Senate in November.

MJ Hegar, an Afghan war veteran, and state Sen. Royce West are both vying for the Democratic nomination for a chance to unseat Cornyn, who has served three terms, in the fall.

“As our country faces many challenges and is collectively working to not just reopen our economy but return to growth and expanded opportunities for all Americans, we need leaders like Senator John Cornyn. He has a proven track record of leading responsibly and standing up for good policies,” Chamber CEO Thomas Donohue said in a statement.

Donohue also touted Cornyn’s focus on free enterprise and job-creating policies in the endorsement.

The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, has deemed Cornyn’s race “likely Republican.”

A spokesperson for Hegar brushed off the endorsement, telling The Dallas Morning News that it’s “no surprise that Cornyn’s D.C. allies are rushing in. They see Cornyn’s abysmal approval ratings, know that he is in for the fight of his political career, and need to protect their investment.”

“After all they can’t afford to lose a senator who has continually put their agenda ahead of the actual Texans he is supposed to represent,” the spokesperson added.

The Chamber has also recently endorsed GOP incumbents Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (Miss.) and Ben Sasse (Neb.) as well as former Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), who is running for retiring Sen. Mike Enzi’s (R-Wyo.) seat, and former Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty, who is running for retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander’s (R-Tenn.) seat.