Texas Senate Primaries Shape 2026 Race With Cornyn, Paxton, Allred, Talarico

Recent polling from the University of Texas at Austin reveals growing dissatisfaction among Texans, with a majority believing both the country and Texas are headed in the wrong direction, and concerns over political corruption, inflation, and immigration topping the list of issues. President Trump’s approval ratings have slightly declined, as has Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s, whose disapproval has risen to 50%. In the upcoming Texas U.S. Senate race, incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn faces a strong primary challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, while the Democratic primary pits former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred against rising star James Talarico. Democrats see potential opportunity if Paxton wins the GOP primary, given the state's shifting political landscape, though they have not won a statewide race in three decades. Both Democratic candidates focus on uniting voters beyond Washington's partisan divides, with Talarico emphasizing practical solutions over ideological debates. The Senate race is expected to be highly competitive and costly, reflecting broader political tensions within Texas.