Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announces challenge to Senator John Cornyn for Senate seat
The announcement paves the way for a potentially contentious primary.
TroibNews 
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton officially launched his much-anticipated campaign on Tuesday for the 2026 Senate race, positioning himself to challenge incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. This sets the stage for what is expected to be a contentious and costly primary, raising concerns that it might harm the Republican Party’s prospects in the general election.
Paxton, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump and a figure who was acquitted in a 2023 impeachment trial by the GOP-led state Senate, likened himself to fellow Texan Sen. Ted Cruz during his announcement in a Fox News interview.
“It’s definitely time for a change in Texas,” Paxton stated. “We have another great U.S. senator in Ted Cruz. And it’s time we have another great senator that will actually stand up and fight for republican values, fight for the values of the people of Texas, and also support Donald Trump.”
Paxton’s announcement signals a challenging showdown with Cornyn, a veteran senator recently endorsed by Senate Majority Leader John Thune. This endorsement follows Cornyn's second-place finish in last year's race to succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell as the Senate's leading figure.
While polls indicate that Paxton enjoys considerable support among conservative voters, who typically turn out in large numbers for primaries, a sharply right-leaning campaign could prove costly for both candidates and may alienate moderate voters in the general election. Both candidates are likely to seek an endorsement from Trump, whose backing carries significant weight in Texas.
On the Democratic front, Colin Allred, a former congressman and professional football player who lost to Cruz last year, is reportedly "seriously considering" a run, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Over the years, Cornyn and Paxton have had numerous run-ins, with Cornyn criticizing the more populist attorney general for his legal issues, while Paxton has accused Cornyn of not sufficiently supporting Trump.
In an appearance on Fox News' The Ingraham Angle, Paxton condemned Cornyn's effectiveness.
“He’s had 24 years of this which I think is plenty given his lack of production,” Paxton remarked. “It’s hard to think of the things that he’s done good for Texas or the country.”
Shortly after Paxton's announcement, Cornyn’s campaign issued a sharp rebuttal on X.
“Ken Paxton is a fraud,” the Cornyn campaign stated. “He talks tough on crime and then lets crooked progressive Lina Hidalgo off the hook. He says his impeachment trial was a sham but he didn’t contest the facts in legal filings which will cost the state millions. He says he’s anti-woke but he funnels millions of taxpayer dollars to lawyers who celebrate DEI.”
Paxton faced impeachment by the Texas House on corruption charges in 2023 but was acquitted by the state Senate. He has dealt with ongoing criminal investigations, including bribery allegations linked to his efforts to assist Austin real estate developer Nate Paul, a friend and donor.
The feud between Paxton and Cornyn includes a notable exchange from last year pertaining to Cornyn's vote in favor of a $95 billion foreign aid package.
“Ken, your criminal defense lawyers are calling,” Cornyn retorted on X.
Cornyn’s campaign pushed back against claims that he lacks effectiveness in supporting Trump in the Senate.
“During his first term, John Cornyn voted with President Trump more than 95% of current Senators, securing the votes for his biggest accomplishments as his Whip,” the campaign asserted. “Democrats are trying to destroy President Trump, and he and Texas need a battle-tested conservative who knows how to protect his agenda in the Senate and won't be outsmarted by Chuck Schumer.”
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
Paxton, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump and a figure who was acquitted in a 2023 impeachment trial by the GOP-led state Senate, likened himself to fellow Texan Sen. Ted Cruz during his announcement in a Fox News interview.
“It’s definitely time for a change in Texas,” Paxton stated. “We have another great U.S. senator in Ted Cruz. And it’s time we have another great senator that will actually stand up and fight for republican values, fight for the values of the people of Texas, and also support Donald Trump.”
Paxton’s announcement signals a challenging showdown with Cornyn, a veteran senator recently endorsed by Senate Majority Leader John Thune. This endorsement follows Cornyn's second-place finish in last year's race to succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell as the Senate's leading figure.
While polls indicate that Paxton enjoys considerable support among conservative voters, who typically turn out in large numbers for primaries, a sharply right-leaning campaign could prove costly for both candidates and may alienate moderate voters in the general election. Both candidates are likely to seek an endorsement from Trump, whose backing carries significant weight in Texas.
On the Democratic front, Colin Allred, a former congressman and professional football player who lost to Cruz last year, is reportedly "seriously considering" a run, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Over the years, Cornyn and Paxton have had numerous run-ins, with Cornyn criticizing the more populist attorney general for his legal issues, while Paxton has accused Cornyn of not sufficiently supporting Trump.
In an appearance on Fox News' The Ingraham Angle, Paxton condemned Cornyn's effectiveness.
“He’s had 24 years of this which I think is plenty given his lack of production,” Paxton remarked. “It’s hard to think of the things that he’s done good for Texas or the country.”
Shortly after Paxton's announcement, Cornyn’s campaign issued a sharp rebuttal on X.
“Ken Paxton is a fraud,” the Cornyn campaign stated. “He talks tough on crime and then lets crooked progressive Lina Hidalgo off the hook. He says his impeachment trial was a sham but he didn’t contest the facts in legal filings which will cost the state millions. He says he’s anti-woke but he funnels millions of taxpayer dollars to lawyers who celebrate DEI.”
Paxton faced impeachment by the Texas House on corruption charges in 2023 but was acquitted by the state Senate. He has dealt with ongoing criminal investigations, including bribery allegations linked to his efforts to assist Austin real estate developer Nate Paul, a friend and donor.
The feud between Paxton and Cornyn includes a notable exchange from last year pertaining to Cornyn's vote in favor of a $95 billion foreign aid package.
“Ken, your criminal defense lawyers are calling,” Cornyn retorted on X.
Cornyn’s campaign pushed back against claims that he lacks effectiveness in supporting Trump in the Senate.
“During his first term, John Cornyn voted with President Trump more than 95% of current Senators, securing the votes for his biggest accomplishments as his Whip,” the campaign asserted. “Democrats are trying to destroy President Trump, and he and Texas need a battle-tested conservative who knows how to protect his agenda in the Senate and won't be outsmarted by Chuck Schumer.”
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
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