Senate Republicans

Sen. John Cornyn R-Texas walks through the Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill on Friday, March 20, 2026, in Washington.

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CPAC activists embrace Paxton as MAGA's choice for Senate over Cornyn

CPAC activists embrace Paxton as MAGA's choice for Senate over Cornyn

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has positioned himself as the grassroots favorite in the runoff election to determine the party's Senate nominee. The election is May 26 and Paxton is trying to unseat John Cornyn. Paxton is drawing praise from right-wing activists who are attending the Conservative Political Action Conference near Dallas. Cornyn skipped the event, but Paxton headlined the Ronald Reagan dinner Friday night and had a private reception on Saturday. Cornyn has more fundraising and support from the party establishment, but Paxton is leaning into his “Make America Great Again” loyalty.