Wesley Hunt’s Congressional Absences
Republican Representative Wesley Hunt from Texas has missed a staggering 92% of congressional votes in 2026 as he campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat, according to a website tracking his absences.
The site, whereswesleyhunt.com, was created by Senator John Cornyn, the GOP incumbent whom Hunt is challenging in the primary.
Hunt’s absence nearly resulted in a loss for House Republicans during a Democrat-led war powers resolution that sought to require President Trump to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from Venezuela without explicit authorization.
Chaos ensued on the House floor as the vote remained tied at 215-214 for over 20 minutes while Republicans awaited Hunt’s arrival. House Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly urged him to return to Washington and arranged for a police escort from Dulles Airport to the Capitol.
Hunt arrived just in time, casting the crucial “no” vote that resulted in a tie of 215-215, effectively defeating the resolution.
When questioned by reporters about his absence, Hunt quickly shifted focus to an impending winter storm, urging everyone to stay safe.
The Hunt campaign characterized his timely vote as heroic, claiming he returned to Capitol Hill to defend President Trump’s foreign policy agenda.
In a social media post, Hunt defended his low attendance by comparing it to South Carolina Republican Tim Scott’s missed votes during his presidential run. He stated that he prioritizes returning whenever needed and is focused on defeating Cornyn, who has served in the Senate for 24 years.
Cornyn has consistently attended Senate votes leading up to the March 3 primary against both Hunt and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The Cornyn campaign has noted that Hunt missed 24% of all House floor votes in 2025, significantly higher than the congressional average of just 2%.
Cornyn Campaign’s Statement: “Wesley Hunt refuses to do his job while accepting a $174,000 salary paid for by taxpayers,” said senior adviser Matt Mackowiak. He emphasized that Hunt’s political ambitions jeopardize Trump’s agenda at a critical time when Republicans hold a slim majority.Mackowiak added: “Hunt needs to explain why his personal ambitions take precedence over legislative progress.”
Despite traveling daily across various cities for twelve days straight, Hunt claims no constituents have questioned him about missing House votes. Instead, they are more concerned about policies like red flag laws implemented by Cornyn following recent tragedies in Texas.
A recent Emerson College/Nexstar Media poll indicates Paxton leads with 27% support, followed closely by Cornyn at 26%, and Hunt trailing at 16%. With many undecided voters (29%), it appears unlikely any candidate will secure the necessary majority to avoid a runoff in May due to the crowded primary field.
