Texas GOP Senate Runoff Pits Incumbent Against Trump-Backed Challenger

Republican voters in Texas head to the polls Tuesday to choose between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton for the party's Senate nomination. The runoff follows a March primary in which neither candidate reached the required 50 percent threshold. President Donald Trump endorsed Paxton one week before the vote.

Cornyn told Fox News Digital that he has supported the president and worked with him during both terms. He said Texans would decide the outcome and described them as independent. Paxton argued that Cornyn opposed Trump on border issues and during the 2016 and 2024 nomination contests.

He said the two candidates differ sharply on Republican priorities. Cornyn countered that he voted with the president 99.3 percent of the time. He warned that a Paxton nomination would draw heavy Democratic spending in the general election.

Democratic nominee James Talarico raised $27 million in the first quarter of 2026. Cornyn said his own record would allow Republicans to finance the race without outside help. Paxton has shifted advertising toward Talarico since receiving Trump's endorsement. Cornyn and allied groups continue to highlight Paxton's legal and personal controversies.

Voters also decide a Republican runoff for attorney general between Rep. Chip Roy and state Sen. Mayes Middleton. Middleton has spent roughly $17 million of his own funds. Roy said his experience as a prosecutor and first assistant attorney general prepares him for the office.

Middleton questioned Roy's alignment with the president's agenda. In the 35th Congressional District, Democratic leaders have backed Bexar County Sheriff's Deputy Johnny Garcia after his runoff opponent posted comments about converting an ICE facility into a prison for American supporters of Israel.

The winner of that Democratic primary will face either state Rep. John Lujan or Carlos De La Cruz in November.