Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, bolstered by a last-minute endorsement from former President Donald Trump, has won the Republican Senate primary runoff, unseating four-term incumbent Senator John Cornyn. Paxton will now face Democratic nominee James Talarico in the November general election.
What happened
The closely watched Texas GOP Senate primary runoff concluded on May 26, 2026, with Paxton projected as the winner. Although Cornyn received the most votes in the initial three-way primary in March, no candidate secured a majority, leading to this runoff between Cornyn and Paxton. Trump’s endorsement last week gave Paxton a significant boost, with the former president praising Paxton’s loyalty and contrasting Cornyn’s previous lack of support during challenging times.
Paxton expressed gratitude for Trump’s support at his victory event, stating, “President Trump is the leader of our party, and his endorsement is the most powerful force in politics.” Cornyn, acknowledging the voters’ decision, pledged to support the Republican ticket in the general election.
This primary race has been the most expensive in history, with significant investments from Senate GOP groups aimed at preventing Paxton’s nomination, viewing Cornyn as a stronger candidate against the Democratic challenger. Notably, Rep. Wesley Hunt, who also competed in the initial primary, endorsed Paxton for the runoff.
Why it matters
Paxton’s victory represents a major shift in Republican Senate politics, highlighting the ongoing influence of Trump’s endorsements and signaling potential challenges for Republican incumbents who fall out of favor with Trump. Texas, a traditionally Republican stronghold, has not elected a Democratic senator since 1988, but the general election will test if Talarico can capitalize on shifting political dynamics.
The outcome also reflects broader trends in GOP primaries, where Trump-backed candidates have successfully challenged established incumbents in various states. Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged that Senate control depends on multiple states, indicating awareness of the potential risks associated with such primary results.
Background
Ken Paxton, first elected Texas attorney general in 2014, has been a polarizing figure. He gained national attention as a staunch ally of former President Trump and was involved in high-profile legal efforts contesting the 2020 election results in several key states. Paxton has also faced significant legal controversies, including a 2015 securities fraud indictment eventually dismissed as part of a pre-trial deal and impeachment by the Texas House in 2023 on charges including bribery and dereliction of duty, later acquitted by the state Senate.
John Cornyn has served as a U.S. Senator since 2002 and held leadership positions within the Senate GOP. Despite his long tenure and leadership experience, his campaign was unable to withstand the late surge from Paxton fueled by Trump’s endorsement.
The general election looming in November will pit Paxton against Talarico, a state representative, in a race that will attract national attention given Texas’s size, electoral votes, and longstanding Republican dominance at the statewide level.
Sources
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