Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general endorsed by Donald Trump, has defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary runoff. The result underscores Trump's continued influence in the party, even as Paxton faced multiple scandals.
Cornyn conceded on Tuesday night, saying, 'After a public service career lasting more than four decades and 18 consecutive campaign wins, tonight we’ve come up short in this primary runoff. I’ve always supported the GOP ticket. I intend to do so again this general election.'
Paxton will now face Democratic candidate James Talarico, a pastor and state legislator, in November's midterm elections. Talarico's campaign, focused on peace and populism, has gained attention, and a victory would make him the first Democrat to win statewide office in Texas in over 30 years.
The race is seen as a test of Trump's strength ahead of the midterms, which typically favour the opposition party. Democrats are favoured to win the House, but the Senate race remains competitive, with candidates like Talarico and others in purple states potentially upsetting Republican leads.
Paxton, first elected attorney general in 2014, has positioned himself as a far-right leader, launching investigations into abortion bans and gender-affirming care, and leading a lawsuit to overturn the 2020 election results. However, he carries significant baggage, including a 2023 impeachment for corruption, an indictment for securities fraud that was dismissed in 2024, and a recent divorce filing by his wife.
Cornyn, a prominent Republican who nearly became Senate majority leader, fell victim to Trump's retribution campaign. In a social media post, Trump called Cornyn 'VERY disloyal' and urged voters to 'REMEMBER!'
