Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is launching a 2026 Senate bid, aiming to oust fellow Republican Sen. John Cornyn in what’s shaping up to be a high-stakes GOP primary.
Paxton announced his campaign Tuesday on Fox News, vowing to fight for conservative values and back Donald Trump. Cornyn, who has held the seat since 2002, now faces pressure from the party’s right flank.
The Republican primary is set for March 3, 2026. The general election follows on Nov. 3. Given Texas’ GOP lean, the primary winner will likely win the seat.
Paxton is already attacking Cornyn as weak on guns and disloyal to Trump. Cornyn fired back, calling Paxton a “fraud” and referencing his 2023 impeachment. Paxton beat the charges but recently avoided trial in a separate fraud case by agreeing to restitution and community service.
Cornyn, 73, has been in public office for over 30 years, including stints on the Texas Supreme Court and as state attorney general. Paxton, 64, has served as Texas AG since 2015 after a decade in the Legislature.
A January poll showed Paxton slightly ahead in primary voter support—but also more polarizing. Analysts say Trump’s endorsement could be decisive in a race expected to draw massive funding, rivaling the $200 million spent in the 2024 Cruz–Allred showdown.
