Ken Paxton Wins Republican Primary for U.S. Senate

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won the Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate this week after defeating incumbent John Cornyn. President Trump issued an endorsement shortly before the vote. Paxton told supporters that officials in Washington had urged Trump to abandon him. The endorsement helped Paxton secure the nomination.

Paxton first won election to the Texas House of Representatives in November 2002 and served until 2012. He then won a seat in the Texas State Senate before his election as state Attorney General in November 2014.

A Texas grand jury issued a three-count felony indictment against Paxton in August 2015 on securities fraud charges. The Securities and Exchange Commission filed related federal charges in April 2016; a federal judge dismissed the federal case in 2017. A judge ruled in April 2025 that Paxton violated the Texas Whistleblower Act and ordered his office to pay $6.6 million to four former employees.

Paxton announced his Senate candidacy in April 2025.

His wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, filed for divorce in July 2025. Paxton will face Democratic nominee James Talarico in the November general election.