Republican Congressman Wesley Hunt made a campaign stop in Amarillo as part of his bid for the U.S. Senate, delivering remarks at The Big Texan during a midday event streamed live by ABC 7 Amarillo across its digital platforms. Hunt entered the Senate race in October, adding a new dynamic to an already high-profile Republican primary that includes incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
During his remarks, Hunt emphasized his personal background and military service, presenting them as foundational to his political views. He described what he called deep family roots in the U.S. military, noting that his father served 20 years in the Army and retired as a lieutenant colonel. Hunt, his brother, and his sister all graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, which he said amounted to 60 years of combined military service within his immediate family.
Hunt also recounted his own service, including flying 55 combat missions in Baghdad as an Apache helicopter pilot and later serving tours in Saudi Arabia as a diplomatic liaison officer. He said those experiences shaped his views on national security, religious freedom, and cultural integration. Speaking on the role of law and governance in the United States, Hunt said, “We have our own laws. We have our own constitutional republic,” arguing that Sharia law is incompatible with American values and should not be permitted in Texas or the country.
The congressman addressed the human cost of military conflict, noting that 14 of his West Point classmates were killed in combat. He said their sacrifices were made on behalf of all Americans and warned against political rhetoric that he believes divides Texans along racial or ideological lines.
Referencing Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Hunt pointed to his own electoral success as an example of national progress. He highlighted that he won election in a predominantly white, suburban Houston district by a larger margin than former President Donald Trump carried the same area, saying voters judged him on “the content of my character.”
Hunt framed his Senate campaign as a challenge to what he described as a growing disconnect between Washington and Texas voters. He was critical of Sen. Cornyn, who has served more than two decades in the Senate, accusing him of being out of touch with Texans. Hunt cited Cornyn’s support for bipartisan gun legislation and past comments questioning the effectiveness of a border wall as points of disagreement. “I’m running for Senate because the United States Senate is not a retirement community,” Hunt said.
Positioning himself as closely aligned with Trump, Hunt noted that he was an early endorser and later served as a top campaign surrogate. He credited Trump with strengthening border security through executive action and argued that Congress should codify those policies. Hunt also voiced opposition to red flag gun laws, expressed strong support for the Second Amendment, and praised Texas law enforcement and first responders.
