Election 2026 Texas Senate

Ken Paxton is playing up President Donald Trump's endorsement as the Texas attorney general heads into the final days of U.S. Senate primary runoff against incumbent John Cornyn. Paxton opened a recent event by talking about the endorsement. He also criticized Democratic nominee James Talarico, who's awaiting the winner of Tuesday's election. The race is the latest campaign where Trump is encouraging voters to oust a politician who's displeased him and elect a challenger more aligned with the president. Cornyn and his allies argue that Paxton's history, including an acquittal in an impeachment trial, will hurt the GOP in the general election.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. He defeated four-term Sen. John Cornyn. Paxton was endorsed by President Donald Trump last week. His victory in Tuesday’s runoff makes Cornyn the first Republican senator from Texas to lose the party’s nomination for reelection. Trump endorsed Paxton as part of his effort to dislodge GOP officeholders he views as less than devout in their support of him. Cornyn said in 2023 as Trump was running to return to the White House that his time “has passed him by.” Paxton will run against state Rep. James Talarico in November.