Paxton Tops Cornyn in Texas GOP Senate Runoff

Ken Paxton secured the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Texas after defeating incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the May 26 runoff. Paxton, the state attorney general, won by a wide margin after neither candidate reached 50 percent in the March primary. The result followed President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Paxton and his decision not to back Cornyn.

Cornyn had served in the Senate since 2002 and maintained strong approval among Texas Republicans for much of his tenure. He voted in line with Trump’s positions throughout the president’s term. Paxton, by contrast, faced multiple legal challenges over nearly a decade, including a securities fraud indictment that ended in a settlement, an impeachment by the Texas House on charges of bribery and abuse of power, and an acquittal in the subsequent Senate trial. Allegations of infidelity and other misconduct also surfaced during the campaign.

Paxton’s victory came after Trump remained silent for an extended period following the initial primary, a pattern similar to his approach in other contests. Republican primary voters ultimately favored the candidate who positioned himself as the stronger Trump ally. Cornyn’s long record of service and high prior approval ratings did not prevent the outcome.

The nomination sets up a general election matchup against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico. Talarico opened his campaign the day after the runoff with a rally in Houston, emphasizing Paxton’s legal history and calling on voters to reject the nominee. Paxton responded by questioning Talarico’s record and policy positions. Both campaigns began trading personal attacks immediately.

The contest occurs in a state that has delivered consistent Republican victories in Senate races for decades. Paxton’s legal troubles provide Democrats with clear lines of attack, while his alignment with Trump’s priorities may consolidate support among the Republican base. Cornyn’s defeat removes an experienced incumbent from the ballot and leaves open questions about how former supporters will respond in November.

Separate Democratic primaries in Texas produced other results, including the defeat of Rep. Al Green by Rep. Christian Menefee in a redrawn district. Those contests reflected voter preferences for newer candidates amid redistricting and generational shifts within the party.

The Senate race now centers on competing claims about fitness for office. Paxton’s primary win demonstrates that Republican voters prioritized one set of signals over another, even when establishment figures urged a different choice. The general election will test whether those same voters maintain that preference against an opponent focused on Paxton’s past legal matters.