Ken Paxton Challenges John Cornyn for Texas Senate Seat

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has officially entered the race to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn in the 2026 Republican primary, marking a significant political rivalry in Texas. Paxton, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, announced his candidacy during an appearance on Fox News, emphasizing the need for a change in leadership and positioning himself as a staunch supporter of Trump's agenda. He has criticized Cornyn for not being sufficiently loyal to Trump and has highlighted his own popularity among Texas Republicans, citing recent polling that shows him leading Cornyn by a significant margin. Cornyn, who has served as senator since 2002, defended his record, claiming to have voted with Trump more than 95% of the time while also pointing out Paxton's legal troubles. The race is expected to be contentious, with both candidates actively seeking Trump's endorsement as they appeal to the state's Republican base. This primary contest reflects broader divisions within the GOP as it navigates loyalty to Trump versus more traditional Republican values.