Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will defeat incumbent John Cornyn for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in Texas, The Associated Press projects. He will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in November’s general election.
President Donald Trump’s last-minute endorsement of Paxton shook up the race that could be critical in the fight for control of the Senate next year.
In his victory speech Tuesday, Paxton thanked Trump for his support and pledged his commitment to the president’s agenda.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, takes the stage to speak during a primary runoff election night event after winning the Republican party’s nomination, May 26, 2026, in Plano, Texas.
Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo
“When everyone in Washington told him to abandon me and abandon the people of Texas, he didn’t listen. Instead, he gave his complete and total endorsement. President Trump is a leader of our party, and his endorsement in this most — is the most powerful force in politics,” Paxton said.
Cornyn narrowly led the field in March’s primary with 42% of the vote, followed by Paxton’s 40%, to make the runoff over GOP Rep. Wesley Hunt.
Speaking to supporters Tuesday evening, Cornyn said he has “always supported the Republican ticket and I intend to do so again in this general election,” but did not mention Paxton by name.
“I trust the voters of Texas and they have made their decision and I must respect it,” Cornyn said.
While Trump praised Cornyn as a “good man,” the president made clear he felt the senator was “not supportive” enough in the past.
Sen. John Cornyn speaks during a news conference at an election night event, May 26, 2026, in Austin, Texas.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Trump’s endorsement power has prevailed in recent primaries — with the president successfully ousting non-endorsed incumbent Republicans this month, including Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie and Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy.
Cornyn was backed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the campaign arm of Senate Republicans, and many of his Senate colleagues stood by his side despite the president’s endorsement, with some expressing concern that Paxton’s past controversies could put the seat at risk.
In a statement Tuesday evening, the NRSC mentioned neither Paxton or Cornyn by name, saying, “A state President Trump won by nearly 14 points isn’t going to elect James Talarico — a radical leftist who thinks God is nonbinary and that Texas should be a welcome mat for illegals. He is the most dangerous flank of the far left. Texas isn’t swapping brisket for open borders.”
The bitter Republican battle is the most expensive Senate primary election in history, according to AdImpact, with a total of more than $165 million in ad spending.
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