Stand up for the facts!

Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.

More Info

I would like to contribute

$

Cornyn, Davis tops among fact-checked statewide candidates

By W. Gardner Selby
December 9, 2013

Among Republicans bidding statewide in 2014, John Cornyn is the tops. Among Democrats who have filed statewide candidacies, Wendy Davis leads.

Our barometer: How often a candidate has landed a PolitiFact check.

(This is an excellent time to remind you that we rely on readers to holler if they see any claim in politics we should consider checking. Write us by clicking here.)

Cornyn, the Republican embarked on seeking his third U.S Senate term, has nearly 20 fact-check ratings to his name. Most recently, his claim about minority voter turnout in Texas came out Mostly True.

None of several Democratic Senate aspirants have been Truth-O-Metered.

Davis, the Democratic state senator seeking her party’s gubernatorial nod, has faced the Truth-O-Meter nearly 10 times, of late fielding a Half True for a claim about the incidence of pregnancies due to rape or incest.

Greg Abbott, the attorney general with his sights on becoming governor, has been checked more than a dozen times–most recently drawing a Mostly False for a statement about there being no problems with the state’s voter ID law in the period leading up to this November’s elections.

All four Republicans running for lieutenant governor have PolitiFact report cards. Most recently, incumbent David Dewhurst won a Mostly False after saying, in part: “I have cut taxes 63 times.” Also, Democratic aspirant Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio has been fact-checked.

To be sure, some candidates have yet to tickle the meter. Count among them all four GOP hopefuls for state agriculture commissioner (among Democratic candidates for that office, Kinky Friedman has been scrutinized).

Wondering about a particular candidate’s factual accuracy? Look up her or him here.

In case of interest, today is the deadline to file a candidacy. If you’re in, we’ll watch what you say.

What (or who) else?

Our Sources

Website, PolitiFact Texas

Browse the Truth-O-Meter

More by W. Gardner Selby
Donald Trump
stated on October 22, 2018 a rally for Republican candidates in Houston:
Says Beto O’Rourke "voted to shield MS-13 gang members from deportation."
Mostly False
Ted Cruz
stated on September 21, 2018 a debate at Southern Methodist University:
Says Beto O’Rourke described police as "modern-day Jim Crow."
Mostly False
Beto O'Rourke
stated on September 21, 2018 a debate at Southern Methodist University:
Says he "did not try to leave the scene of the accident" that led to his arrest for driving while intoxicated.
Mostly False
Ted Cruz
stated on August 28, 2018 an online video ad:
Says Beto O’Rourke "voted against" Hurricane Harvey "tax relief."
Mostly True
M.J. Hegar
stated on August 21, 2018 an interview on Spectrum Cable's "Capital Tonight":
Says U.S. Rep. John Carter "hasn’t held a town hall in five years."
Mostly True
Beto O'Rourke
stated on July 26, 2018 an ad in the Houston Defender:
Says "black Americans have 10 times less wealth than white Americans."
Mostly True

Cornyn, Davis tops among fact-checked statewide candidates





Donald Trump
stated on May 4, 2026 a White House event:








Donald Trump
stated on April 23, 2026 remarks at the White House:







Chris Wright
stated on April 19, 2026 an interview on CNN's "State of the Union":