Paxton defeats Cornyn 64-36 in Texas Senate GOP runoff

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton delivered a decisive blow to the Republican establishment Tuesday night, defeating four-term Sen. John Cornyn in the state's Senate primary runoff by a margin of roughly 28 points. With Paxton capturing about 64 percent of the vote, the outcome marked the widest primary defeat of a sitting GOP senator in nearly five decades and underscored the enduring pull of President Donald Trump's endorsement among primary voters.

Trump had weighed in just a week earlier, labeling Paxton a true MAGA warrior and throwing his weight behind the challenger. Paxton wasted no time crediting that support, calling the president's backing the most powerful force in politics. Cornyn, who had served in the Senate since 2002 and once held leadership posts, had tried to burnish his conservative credentials in recent months. He highlighted votes aligned with Trump on immigration and border security, yet his past hesitations, including delayed endorsement of Trump's 2024 campaign, left him vulnerable.

The race shattered spending records for a Senate primary, exceeding $130 million as outside groups and party committees poured resources into defending the incumbent. Despite the financial disadvantage, Paxton prevailed comfortably, signaling that Republican voters in Texas prioritized loyalty to the president's agenda over establishment pedigrees. Cornyn conceded the race, noting his long record of supporting GOP nominees but offering no indication he would alter course in the general election.

Paxton's win sets up a November matchup against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico, a progressive lawmaker from the Austin area who has positioned himself as a populist alternative. Democrats have signaled optimism about flipping the seat in a state that has not elected a Democratic senator since 1988, viewing Paxton's legal troubles as potential liabilities. Republicans counter that Paxton's direct style and alignment with voter priorities on issues like immigration will hold the line.

The result follows a string of Trump-backed primary victories this cycle, including challenges in Louisiana, Kentucky, and Indiana. It leaves Senate Republicans facing the task of shoring up resources for a more contested general election in Texas while defending other battlegrounds. Paxton has already begun airing ads framing Talarico as out of step with Texas values, shifting focus quickly to the fall contest.

Voters made clear their preference for a candidate willing to confront the party's old guard rather than accommodate it. The primary outcome reinforces that Republican base sentiment favors those who deliver on core promises without equivocation, even when facing well-funded opposition from within the party.