New state senator for Wichita Falls says he's 'just exploring' run against Cornyn

Freshman state Sen. Pat Fallon, whose district includes Wichita Falls, said Tuesday that he is "just having a conversation" about a primary run against U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. 

Cornyn is a Republican who has long held office -- much like Fallon's last primary opponent, former state Sen. Craig Estes of Wichita Falls. 

State Sen. Pat Fallon gives the audience a recap of the 86th session of the Texas Legislature during a recent visit to Wichita Falls.

“There’s no campaign yet. We’re deliberating," Fallon said. "I want to talk to lots of folks."

Fallon, a successful entrepreneur, fueled a hard-fought campaign against Estes with a $1.8 million loan to his campaign.

If he seeks federal office, he plans to make a personal investment again. 

“I will certainly put some funds in, but it’s a very expensive race," he said. 

Local GOP leader reacts 

Fallon said his current constituents' thoughts will weigh heavily in his decision. So he plans to make a swing through Senate District 30. 

“I have just under a million collective bosses. I’d really like to get their feedback,"  he said. 

Local GOP leader Shirley Craft is one of his "bosses." 

Craft, who is president of Wichita County Republican Women, was surprised when she heard the freshman senator was considering a primary run.

Fallon recently wrapped up his first legislative session representing SD 30 and spoke Aug. 19 before the group Craft presides over. 

“It’s his decision, but I think he really serves us well,” she said Tuesday. “I’d really hate to see him get distracted with a primary against another Republican.”

Fallon will not have to give up his state Senate seat to run for Congress because he is serving a four-year term. 

Craft said the Wichita County Republican Women not endorse a primary candidate.

“I really encourage Republicans to support other Republicans in their races. It’s going to be kind of a tough year, 2020,” she said.

Craft said she thinks Cornyn’s record for Texas is quite good.

“I’ve always supported him in his races,” she said.

'The dog that never barks' 

Fallon confirmed that he announced his possible run Monday evening while speaking to the True Texas Project in North Richland Hills. 

He felt it was time. 

“It's after Labor Day, and there’s nobody that could win that’s stepping up," Fallon said. "GOP primary voters deserve a choice, and they haven’t had a viable one in nearly 20 years.”

A political observer tended to agree about the history of the senior U.S. senator's elections. 

“Sen. Cornyn’s had a fairly easy ride in the primaries in his career despite a lot of murmurings about a challenge from the right," said James Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas in Austin.  

“In some ways, it’s been the dog that never barks, and we’ll see if it barks this time," Henson said. 

But he added that he suspects a first-time statewide candidate wouldn't pose much of a challenge. 

Fallon said he would bring energy, passion and a fighting spirit to bear. 

“I really believe the things I say on the campaign trail," he said.  

Fallon noted that the group he spoke before Monday night was a renamed Tea Party group. 

Fallon chooses his own political label

He wasn't interested in political labels except the one he chose himself. 

"I’m a conservative Republican, and that’s it," Fallon said. 

Cronyn's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday afternoon. 

The first day to file for a spot on the primary ticket is Nov. 9. Primary election day is March 3. 

More attention has been focused on the Democratic side of Cornyn's race. 

That is because Beto O'Rourke, the former congressman from El Paso now seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, gave U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz an unexpectedly tough challenge last year. 

Last year, Fallon ousted Estes in the March 6 primary, unseating the 18-year Republican incumbent. 

Then Fallon went on to easily best a Democrat in the General Election Nov. 6, 2018, and took office in January.

Fallon gave up a seat representing state House District 106 to run for SD 30. He served three terms representing HD 106.