Paxton Challenges Cornyn in Heated 2026 Senate Race

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2026 U.S. Senate race, setting up a bruising primary battle against incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn. The announcement promises one of the nation’s most watched GOP contests, pitting a Trump-aligned firebrand against a seasoned party stalwart.

Paxton, a vocal conservative, has hinted at this run since his 2023 impeachment acquittal. He now aims to unseat Cornyn, whom he’s branded a “Republican in name only” for years.

Cornyn, a four-term senator, boasts a record of legislative wins and party leadership roles. Yet his occasional breaks with Trump have fueled Paxton’s attacks and grassroots discontent.

The race hinges on Texas’s rightward shift, with Paxton leaning hard into Trump’s endorsement potential. Cornyn, meanwhile, touts his 76% primary win in 2022 as proof of voter loyalty.

Polls suggest Paxton holds an edge among hardcore GOP primary voters today. A University of Houston survey found 68% would consider him, versus 75% for Cornyn.

Trump’s influence looms large, as he’s previously criticized Cornyn over gun safety laws. Paxton’s campaign will likely amplify this rift to rally the former president’s base.

Cornyn has dismissed Paxton’s barbs, saying he’ll address rivals once the field is set. His team emphasizes his decades of electoral success, including a 2002 Senate win.

Paxton’s tenure as AG has been marked by legal battles and conservative crusades. Critics question if his controversies could alienate moderate Republicans in the primary.

The contest could reshape Texas GOP dynamics, with Paxton pushing a populist agenda. Cornyn’s camp warns that such divisiveness risks losing the seat to Democrats in ’26.

National Republicans are already bracing for a costly, bitter fight in the Lone Star State. Both men are digging in, with fundraising and ad wars expected to ramp up soon.

Democrats see an opening if the GOP infighting weakens the eventual nominee. For now, Paxton versus Cornyn is the marquee matchup to watch in 2026.

This primary showdown reflects broader tensions between Trump’s wing and the GOP establishment. Texas voters will decide which vision prevails in this high-stakes clash.