A heated U.S. Senate GOP primary is underway in Texas between Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton, marked by personal attacks and expectations of a costly campaign. Senate Republicans are gearing up to defend key seats and target others in 2026.
Cornyn emphasized the high stakes of the race, noting the potential for hundreds of millions of dollars to be spent in Texas, diverting resources from other critical states such as Michigan, New Hampshire, and Georgia. In a recent statement, Cornyn labeled Paxton a “conman and a fraud,” setting the tone for what promises to be a contentious campaign.
Paxton has positioned himself as an outsider ready to take on “career politicians” in Washington, contrasting his background with Cornyn’s long congressional tenure. He has criticized Cornyn for his support of a bipartisan gun control bill following a tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
The looming question of a potential endorsement from former President Donald Trump hovers over the race, with Paxton expressing hopes for Trump’s support closer to election day. Paxton, who weathered impeachment proceedings and other legal challenges, enjoys strong backing from the Texas GOP’s hard right.
The Senate race in Texas is expected to be one of the most expensive, with past campaigns seeing significant spending from both sides. The GOP aims to strengthen its Senate majority in 2026, eyeing pickup opportunities in swing states like New Hampshire, Michigan, and Minnesota. Democrats have yet to field a candidate in the Texas Senate race.
Paxton’s entry into the race underscores his political resilience despite past controversies, including an impeachment trial and legal troubles. As the campaign unfolds, both candidates are poised for a fierce battle for the Senate seat in Texas.
In the 2022 election race for attorney general, George P. Bush, son of Jeb Bush who ran for president, highlighted Paxton’s legal issues. Despite this, Paxton went on to win over Bush by a margin of almost 40 points in a runoff election. This report was contributed from Des Moines, Iowa, by Beaumont. Lathan, a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative, is part of Report for America, a nonprofit organization placing journalists in local newsrooms to cover overlooked topics.
