John Cornyn
John Cornyn is an American politician and attorney who has served as the senior United States senator from Texas since 2002.
John Cornyn is an American politician and attorney who has served as the senior United States senator from Texas since 2002. A Republican, he previously held offices in Texas as a district judge, a justice of the Texas Supreme Court, and attorney general of Texas.
Early life and education
Cornyn was born in Houston, Texas, and was raised in San Antonio. He studied at Trinity University, St. Mary’s School of Law, and earned a Master of Laws from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Texas legal and judicial career
Before entering the Senate, Cornyn served as a district judge in Texas, then as a justice of the Texas Supreme Court, and later as Texas Attorney General from 1999 to 2002.
U.S. Senate career
Cornyn has represented Texas in the U.S. Senate since 2002. He was first elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2008, 2014, and 2020. He serves on the Senate Finance, Judiciary, Intelligence, Foreign Relations, and Budget Committees.
Leadership and political role
From 2013 to 2019, Cornyn was the Senate Republican Whip, the second-ranking position in the Senate Republican Conference. He has been a prominent figure in Republican Senate politics.
Key facts
- First elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 and re-elected in 2008, 2014, and 2020.
- Serves on the Senate Finance, Judiciary, Intelligence, Foreign Relations, and Budget Committees.
- Served as Senate Republican Whip from 2013 to 2019.
- Previously served as a Texas district judge, Texas Supreme Court justice, and Texas Attorney General.
- Born in Houston and associated professionally with Texas politics and law.
Frequently asked questions
Who is John Cornyn?
What offices did John Cornyn hold before the Senate?
When was John Cornyn first elected to the U.S. Senate?
What Senate leadership role did Cornyn hold?
What committees has Cornyn served on?
References
- Office of Senator John Cornyn — https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/about/about-john-cornyn/Supports: Birthplace, Senate service, election history, committee assignments, and Senate Republican Whip role.
- Congress.gov — https://www.congress.gov/member/john-cornyn/C001056Supports: Party affiliation, Senate tenure, and office details.
- U.S. Government Publishing Office — https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CDIR-2008-08-01/html/CDIR-2008-08-01-TX-S-2.htmSupports: Biographical details including birth date, education, and prior Texas offices.
- The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/us/politics/john-cornyn-republican-senate-candidate.htmlSupports: Recent context on Cornyn's Senate career and 2026 primary challenge.