Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) recently met with White House aides, increasing speculation that he could become the second Republican to challenge Sen. John Cornyn‘s (R-TX) reelection campaign.

Hunt met with President Donald Trump‘s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, and political director James Blair at least twice, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to the Washington Examiner.

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The meetings, first reported by the Associated Press, came before and after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced his bid for the Senate seat, the source confirmed.

“The meeting was about a giant problem that the Republican Party has down in Texas,” said the source. “And the problem is this: the current incumbent cannot win a GOP primary. Even with the president’s endorsement, he will still lose.”

“Texas Republican primary voters despise John Cornyn more than they love Donald J. Trump,” the source added.

A February poll from the University of Houston revealed 32% of past and future GOP primary voters would definitely consider voting for Cornyn in a Senate primary, while 36% said they would definitely consider voting for Paxton.

Paxton was acquitted of allegations of corruption and bribery after a two-week impeachment trial in 2023. Given this baggage, the source said, Paxton cannot win a general election race.

Cornyn has faced some criticism for his support of providing financial aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia and his backing of a bipartisan gun control bill following a 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. However, Cornyn also has the support of the National Republican Senatorial Committee as an incumbent leader and is a prolific fundraiser.

Hunt has not yet announced a Senate run, but an outside organization, Standing for Texas, ran a $2 million statewide ad campaign touting the congressman’s work with the president. Donors and supporters are also encouraging Hunt to run.

If Hunt joins the race, it could further complicate the endorsement race for Trump. Hunt was a key surrogate for Trump during the 2024 campaign. As an African American Republican politician, Hunt worked to bring African American voters into the GOP fold.

Trump previously dodged a question about endorsing in the GOP primary after Paxton announced his campaign.

“They’re both friends of mine. I like them both. In a way, I wish they weren’t running against each other,” Trump said aboard Air Force One. “But I like Paxton. I like Cornyn. They’re both good people. I’ll make a decision somewhere along the line. But you have two very good men.”

One senior GOP staffer told the Washington Examiner that the White House is seeking more information about Hunt’s activities.

Many Republicans have already shied away from endorsing after Paxton entered the race earlier this month. Cornyn’s Senate counterpart, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), snubbed his longtime colleague when asked who he was endorsing, saying he is “staying out of the race.”

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Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX), freshman GOP class president, told the Washington Examiner he is “following the president’s lead.” Reps. Lance Gooden (R-TX) and Troy Nehls threw their support behind Paxton early on.

The Washington Examiner reached out to the White House, Paxton, and Cornyn for comment.