Texas AG Paxton Challenges Sen. Cornyn in Heated 2026 Senate Primary

The 2026 Republican primary race for the Texas U.S. Senate seat is intensifying as incumbent Senator John Cornyn faces a strong challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Cornyn's campaign accuses Paxton of ethical lapses, highlighting Paxton's failure to meet a federal deadline for filing a personal financial disclosure and criticizing him for approving $7.1 million in grants to organizations providing legal aid to immigrants and support for gender-affirming care. Polls show Paxton leading Cornyn by double digits among Republican voters, with both candidates seeking to align themselves closely with former President Donald Trump, who remains highly influential in Texas GOP politics. Paxton emphasizes the need for new leadership focused on effective governance rather than establishment politics, while Cornyn stresses his seniority and record of supporting Trump’s priorities. The campaign has become notably heated, with Cornyn launching a website, CrookedKen.com, to attack Paxton’s record and appeal to the party's conservative base ahead of the primary election. This race signifies a broader struggle within the Texas Republican Party between established incumbents and more populist challengers aligned with Trump's agenda.