March 10, 2026 — Dallas, Texas — Texas Senator John Cornyn (R) announced the launch of his Evangelical Faith Advisory Council with prominent pastors, including Dr. Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church and Dr. Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Dallas, to provide guidance on religious liberty, family values and pro-life issues ahead of his May 26 Republican primary runoff against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The Texas Senator John Cornyn Launches Evangelical Faith Advisory Council with Prominent Pastors initiative highlights Cornyn’s ties to influential evangelical leaders as he seeks to bolster support among faith voters in the contentious race. Cornyn’s campaign described the council as a group of “trusted leaders” offering counsel on principled leadership during turbulent times.
“I’m proud to launch my Faith Council with trusted leaders like Max Lucado, Dr. Jack Graham, and Dr. Robert Jeffress to stand for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. We need principled results, not showmanship, to protect life, religious liberty, and our values. God bless Texas.”
Council Members
The council comprises key figures such as author Max Lucado of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Phil Schubert, president of Abilene Christian University, and Dr. Gus Reyes of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. Several members, including Graham, Jeffress and Reyes, have Southern Baptist ties, according to Baptist News Global.
Notably, Dr. Jack Graham serves as senior pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church, where Paxton has listed membership in past bios, though current attendance is unclear.
Purpose and Focus Areas
The group will advise on issues vital to religious voters, including protecting the sanctity of life, defending religious liberty and free speech, supporting traditional families and standing with Israel. The Cornyn campaign stated:
“As our state and nation are in turbulent times, we need leaders who serve with principle, wisdom, and integrity. A key element to principled leadership is who a leader consults when confronting complex problems.”
A letter from the council emphasized holding leaders to higher moral standards based on Scripture.
Political Context
This marks the first formal faith advisory council for Cornyn, who has long maintained relationships with Texas faith leaders. The announcement coincides with Cornyn ramping up attacks on Paxton’s character, including ads highlighting past allegations of infidelity and impeachment. Neither candidate secured a primary majority on March 3, forcing the runoff. Evangelical voters are seen as pivotal in Texas GOP primaries.
Reactions and Backlash
Paxton supporters have criticized some council members over alleged pro-immigration stances linked to groups like those funded by George Soros, per campaign communications on X. Cornyn’s team condemned such attacks on the pastors. Comments on Cornyn’s post reflected mixed reactions, with some questioning the timing.
The Texas Senator John Cornyn Launches Evangelical Faith Advisory Council with Prominent Pastors move underscores faith’s role in the race, as covered by The Christian Post and Dallas Morning News.