Cornyn, Paxton skipped for leadership in Trump's Washington

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Among the Texans positioned to take on powerful posts in the new Trump era of Washington politics, few were seen as more likely ascendants than U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Neither are set to get there after Wednesday.

Cornyn, for his part, hoped to succeed Mitch McConnell as Senate Majority Leader. He fell to South Dakota's John Thune by just three votes in the Senate GOP's secret ballot Wednesday morning.

"Congratulations...