NRA backs GOP incumbent over Tea Party challenger in TX race

Politico reports:

The National Rifle Association on Wednesday endorsed Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP Texas Senate primary, dealing a blow to vocal gun rights champion Steve Stockman, the congressman who is challenging Cornyn for his seat.

A statement from the NRA’s PAC chairman called Cornyn, the Senate minority whip, a “consistent and passionate champion of our Second Amendment rights” and noted his “A+ rating” from the group — an important endorsement in the deep-red state’s primary, which takes place in March.

“The choice is clear for law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen in the U.S. Senate Republican primary election in Texas, and that choice is John Cornyn,” Chris Cox, the chairman of the group’s political victory fund, said in a statement. “We urge all NRA members and like-minded supporters to vote John Cornyn for U.S. Senate on March 4.”