Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched his bid for the U.S. Senate in 2026, challenging longtime Republican Senator John Cornyn in what promises to be a contentious primary battle centered on loyalty to former President Trump and conservative values.
Quick Takes
- Paxton announced his Senate candidacy on Fox News, positioning himself as a Trump loyalist against what he calls the “D.C. establishment”
- The Texas AG is criticizing Cornyn for supporting gun restrictions, Ukraine aid over border security, and failing to support Trump’s agenda
- A recent poll shows Paxton leading Cornyn by 20 points in early matchup data
- The challenge comes after Paxton survived impeachment in 2023, strengthening his position with Texas conservatives
- Senate GOP leaders are reportedly seeking Trump’s endorsement for Cornyn despite Trump’s previous criticisms of the senator
Trump Loyalty Emerges as Key Issue in Texas GOP Senate Battle
Ken Paxton made his Senate intentions clear during an appearance on “The Ingraham Angle,” where he framed the race as a battle for the soul of Texas Republicanism. The attorney general, who has emerged as a leader among the GOP’s hard-right faction, highlighted what he perceives as Cornyn’s failure to champion core Republican values during his lengthy Washington career. Paxton specifically targeted Cornyn’s support for gun control measures and prioritization of foreign aid over border security as evidence of his misalignment with Texas voters’ priorities.
Cornyn’s campaign immediately responded to Paxton’s announcement by labeling him a “fraud,” signaling the bitter nature of the upcoming primary battle. Paxton’s decision to challenge the three-term senator represents a significant threat to Cornyn, who has held various leadership positions within the Republican Party. The race reflects growing tensions between establishment Republicans and the Trump-aligned faction of the party that has gained considerable influence in Texas politics.
Paxton Survives Political Storms to Challenge Senate Incumbent
Paxton enters the Senate race following a turbulent period that saw him impeached by the Texas House in 2023 on allegations of bribery and abuse of office, only to be acquitted by the state Senate. This political victory, coupled with his successful litigation against the Biden administration on issues ranging from immigration to transgender rights, has strengthened his standing with conservative voters. Paxton has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to weather political and legal challenges, including overcoming a primary challenge from George P. Bush in 2022.
The Texas attorney general still faces some legal challenges, including a district court award of $6.6 million to former aides in a whistleblower lawsuit, which he plans to appeal. Despite these issues, his political resilience has been remarkable in a state where Republican primary voters have increasingly favored Trump-aligned candidates. Paxton’s tenure as attorney general has been marked by his aggressive legal actions against the Biden administration and his unsuccessful attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
Border Security and Ukraine Aid Become Flashpoints
Paxton has not minced words when criticizing Cornyn’s policy priorities, particularly regarding border security and foreign aid. He has taken to calling the incumbent “Senator Ukraine” for his support of aid to the war-torn country while Texas faces challenges at its southern border. This messaging taps into frustrations among many Texas Republicans who have made border security a top priority and who believe resources should be directed toward domestic concerns before international ones.
The primary battle will likely focus on other key conservative issues where Paxton claims Cornyn has fallen short, including gun rights. Cornyn’s support for bipartisan gun legislation following the 2022 Uvalde school shooting has become a point of contention, with Paxton positioning himself as a staunch defender of the Second Amendment. Early polling suggests this messaging is resonating with Texas Republican voters, with a reported 20-point lead for Paxton over Cornyn in initial matchups.
Trump’s Endorsement Looms Large
The wild card in this high-profile primary challenge is former President Trump, whose endorsement could prove decisive. Senate Republican leaders have reportedly sought to secure Trump’s backing for Cornyn, despite Trump’s previous criticisms of the senator as lacking strength. Paxton, meanwhile, has positioned himself as the candidate who will “support Donald Trump in the areas he’s focused on, in a very significant way,” drawing a direct contrast with Cornyn’s more measured approach to the former president’s agenda.
With no Democrat having yet entered the race in a state where Republicans have dominated statewide offices for three decades, the GOP primary may effectively determine Texas’s next senator. The contest represents a microcosm of the larger battle within the Republican Party between traditional conservatives and the Trump-aligned movement that has reshaped the party’s priorities and messaging in recent years.
​Sources:
- Texas AG Ken Paxton launches Senate primary challenge against Republican Sen. John Cornyn
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Will Challenge Senator John Cornyn
