Texas Senate Primary Runoff Set Between Cornyn and Paxton
Incumbent Senator John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will compete in a May 26 runoff after neither secured a majority in the April primary. President Trump endorsed Paxton earlier this month.
.png)
The New YorkerIncumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will face each other in a Republican primary runoff election on May 26. Neither candidate received a majority of votes in the initial primary held earlier this spring. The race has drawn attention because of its cost and the volume of attack advertisements from both campaigns.
Cornyn has raised more funds and secured endorsements from several prominent Republicans, including former Governor Rick Perry.
He has described Paxton as having a checkered background and stated that he will not turn over the Senate seat to him. Paxton has faced multiple legal and ethical questions during his time as attorney general. In 2023 the Texas House impeached him on charges related to abuse of office, though the Texas Senate acquitted him.
The Cook Political Report changed its rating of the race from Solid Republican to Likely Republican after Paxton entered. If Paxton wins the nomination, the rating is expected to move to Lean Republican.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- Earlier this spring
Cornyn won primary plurality but fell short of majority, triggering runoff.
1 sourceThe New Yorker - 2023
Texas House impeached Paxton; Texas Senate later acquitted him.
1 sourceThe New Yorker - May 2026
President Trump endorsed Paxton in the Senate primary runoff.
1 sourceThe New Yorker
Potential Impact
- 01
The winner of the May 26 runoff will face Democratic nominee James Talarico in November.
Transparency Panel
Related Stories
France 24Russian Drone Strikes Romanian Apartment Building, Injuring Two
A Russian drone crashed into a residential building in eastern Romania during an overnight attack on Ukraine. Two people were injured and Romania requested faster NATO anti-drone support.
realitytea.comTrump Says U.S. Will Lift Iran Naval Blockade After Nuclear and Hormuz Pledges
President Trump stated the U.S. will end its naval blockade of Iran once Tehran commits to forgoing nuclear weapons and opens the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted shipping. The announcement came via Truth Social and a live statement.
dnaindia.comLebanese President Urges Ceasefire in Call With U.S. Secretary of State
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the need for a ceasefire with Israel. Israeli and Lebanese military delegations met at the Pentagon on the same day.