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Ken Paxton Announces Senate Bid, Challenging John Cornyn in Texas GOP Primary

The Texas Attorney General positions himself as a Trump-aligned insurgent against the long-serving Senator, setting up a contentious and costly 2026 primary battle.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 20: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton attends the executive order signing ceremony to reduce the size and scope of the Education Department in the East Room of the White House on March 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. The order instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon, former head of the Small Business Administration and co-founder of the World Wrestling Entertainment, to shrink the $100 billion department, which cannot be dissolved without Congressional approval. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General and staunch Trump ally, officially declared his campaign to unseat Senator John Cornyn in the 2026 Republican primary.
  • Paxton accuses Cornyn of abandoning Trump's agenda and frames his campaign as a fight against the D.C. establishment and for conservative values.
  • Polling data suggests Paxton has a significant lead among Texas Republican voters, with grassroots support bolstering his bid.
  • Cornyn's campaign defends his record, highlighting his alignment with Trump’s policies and portraying Paxton as a flawed candidate with a history of legal and ethical controversies.
  • The race is expected to be one of the most expensive and divisive Republican primaries, with both candidates vying for Trump’s endorsement to secure an edge.