On May 24, U.S. media outlets including Fox News and CNN reported that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the second round of the Texas Republican primary. Paxton was strongly backed by former President Donald Trump, while Cornyn is a veteran lawmaker who once served as Deputy Senate Majority Whip.
Senator Cornyn, who has represented Texas in the Senate since 2002, faced criticism for his public rebukes of Trump and his support for a bipartisan gun control bill following the 2022 Uvalde school shooting. In contrast, Paxton has positioned himself as a staunch Trump ally and received the former president's endorsement. Analysts say Trump's backing reshaped the race, making Cornyn the latest incumbent senator to fall from favor with the president.
Speaking to the press after his loss, Cornyn said, “I have always supported the Republican Party” and indicated he would continue to do so. Paxton called the victory “historic” and praised Trump's support as “the most powerful force in politics.” Earlier in May, Trump's endorsement also helped oust other incumbents, including Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
Paxton has faced years of legal and ethics controversies, including impeachment by the Republican-led Texas House in 2023 on charges of bribery and misconduct. However, he was acquitted by the Texas Senate and has dismissed the accusations as politically motivated.
Paxton will face Texas state Representative James Talarico, a Democrat, in the November general election. The race is seen as potentially pivotal in determining control of the Senate. Talarico, 37, appeals to moderate and independent voters, while some Republicans worry Paxton may struggle in the general election. An internal memo from the National Republican Senatorial Committee last year warned that nominating Paxton could give Democrats a rare opportunity to flip Texas, forcing the GOP to spend heavily to defend a seat long considered safe.
Addressing his supporters, Paxton said, “There is no doubt that I will be the number one target of the Democratic Party in November” and predicted that Talarico would “raise more money than any Democrat in America.” He urged supporters to donate to his campaign, warning, “If Republicans lose this state, we will lose the country.”
Shortly after Paxton was declared the winner, Talarico called him “the most corrupt politician in America” on social media, writing, “He represents the rotten system we are fighting against.” In another post, he invited Cornyn supporters to vote for him: “You have a place in our campaign.”
