Texas Republicans have nominated Ken Paxton, the state's attorney general, for U.S. Senate in a stunning primary upset that removes incumbent John Cornyn from the race. Paxton secured the party's backing after winning President Donald Trump's endorsement in what became an expensive and contentious battle for the Republican nomination.
The primary contest proved costly for Texas Republicans. Both campaigns and outside groups spent over $100 million combined, making it one of the most expensive intra-party fights in recent Texas political history. Cornyn, a three-term senator who has served since 2003, faced an unexpectedly strong challenge from Paxton, who leveraged Trump's support to energize the party's conservative base.
Paxton brings significant baggage to the general election. The attorney general faces ongoing legal troubles, including an indictment on securities fraud charges dating back to 2015, though he has maintained his innocence. He also faced impeachment in the Texas House over allegations of abuse of office and bribery, which resulted in his acquittal by the state Senate in 2023. These controversies did not prevent Trump from backing him or Republican primary voters from nominating him.
Cornyn's defeat marks a notable setback for the Senate Republican establishment. He served as the number two Republican in the chamber and maintained strong relationships with leadership. His loss reflects growing Trump influence within the GOP and the power of primary challenges from the party's right flank, even against well-established incumbents.
The general election will test whether Texas voters in a statewide race embrace Paxton despite his legal entanglements. Democrats will likely target his indictment and impeachment record heavily. Paxton must now consolidate Republican support after the bruising primary and perform well enough in November to hold the seat for the GOP in a state where Republicans have dominated recent statewide contests.