Paxton Leads Cornyn by 9 in Texas Senate Poll

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton holds a 9-point lead over Senator John Cornyn in early polling for the 2026 Republican Senate primary, according to a survey from Texas Southern University's Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center. Paxton enjoys a higher favorability rating (68%) compared to Cornyn (58%) and is leveraging his alignment with former President Donald Trump, though Trump has not yet endorsed anyone. Many voters indicate a Trump endorsement could be decisive in their choice. Entry of Rep. Wesley Hunt into the race narrows Paxton's lead but does not change his status as frontrunner. General election matchups suggest Paxton could be a weaker GOP nominee against Democrats such as Colin Allred or Joaquin Castro. The race underscores divisions within the Texas GOP between establishment members like Cornyn and hardliners like Paxton.