Sen. Cornyn casts ballot, eyeing Senate Majority Leader

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- When U.S. Sen. John Cornyn cast his ballot in North Austin on Tuesday, he had his sights on a restoration of Republican power in Washington. Reclaiming the Senate is a top priority for Republicans nationwide, but the stakes are even higher for the Texas senator eyeing one of Washington's most powerful posts.

If Republicans win the Senate, Cornyn is that much closer to succeeding Mitch McConnell as Senate Majority Leader. He has been in a prolonged, mostly-behind-the-scenes race for the job since February, and now he and Sen. John Thune, R-SD, are the two frontrunners.

"I feel like I'm ready to assume those responsibilities. But in the end, it's not about me and it's not about the other candidate. It's about what our country needs," Cornyn said. "Our country needs to make some tough choices, and we are the ones that make those on behalf of our constituents. So I'm looking forward to it, but I understand the responsibility."

In his 22 years in the Senate, Cornyn has proven to be a proficient fundraiser, vote counter, and sometimes bipartisan dealmaker. He served as majority Whip from 2015-2019 and chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee from 2009-2013, raising hundreds of millions of dollars for Republican candidates. He was a key player behind the CHIPS Act and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a gun safety bill that earned him the ire of some conservatives.

Cornyn feels he has paid his dues and accumulated the serious governing chops that would serve him well as Leader.

"When I graduated from college, I waited tables at the Steak and Ale restaurant in San Antonio," he said. "They trained the managers of those restaurants by having them wash dishes, bus tables, work the grill, and I feel like I've had a similar experience in the Senate."

Cornyn said Tuesday Senate Republicans will vote on their party's pick for leader on Nov. 13, just eight days after Election Day. Until then, he's putting his full weight behind Sen. Cruz, former President Trump, and other Republicans with whom he has been campaigning across the country.

"Texas is not particularly a battleground state for President Trump. He'll win comfortably. Senator Cruz, I believe, will win comfortably," he said. "This is a change election, and if people are happy with the way things are, that's their decision. But if they're not, then the way they make a difference is to come out and cast a ballot."