Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, defeating four-term incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in a runoff that underscored President Donald Trump’s enduring influence over GOP primary voters. Cheers rang through Paxton’s election-night party in Plano when the race was called, and he quickly credited the president.
Cornyn conceded Tuesday night in Austin, telling a room of reporters, “Tonight we’ve come up short.” He said he would support Paxton in the general election, adding, “I’ve always supported the Republican ticket, and I intend to do so again.” Cornyn, first elected to the Senate in 2002, became the first Republican senator from Texas to lose the party’s nomination for reelection.
Trump endorsed Paxton last week, calling him a “true MAGA warrior.” In his victory speech, Paxton said, “When everyone in Washington told him to abandon me and abandon the people of Texas, he didn’t listen. President Trump is the leader of our party, and his endorsement is the most powerful force in politics.”
The loss follows primaries this month in which Trump successfully backed challengers to Republican incumbents in Louisiana, Kentucky, and Indiana, signaling his continued hold on the party’s base. Cornyn had drawn Trump’s ire after saying in 2023 that the president’s time had “passed him by” and for being an early critic of Trump’s border wall plan — a project he now supports.
Democrats see a rare opportunity to win a statewide race in Texas. Their nominee, state Rep. James Talarico of Round Rock, has argued that Paxton’s legal vulnerabilities could make the seat competitive. Paxton acknowledged the dynamic, saying in his speech, “Without a shadow of a doubt, I will be the Democrats’ No. 1 target in November.”
The primary was among the most expensive in Texas history. Cornyn and allied groups spent roughly $109 million between the primary and the runoff, much of it on advertising attacking Paxton over ethical and legal issues. Paxton was acquitted on corruption charges in a 2023 impeachment trial, and allegations of extramarital affairs surfaced during the proceedings. His wife filed for divorce last year, citing “biblical grounds.”
Voters reflected the party’s division. David Jacobson, 70, a retired Dallas-area resident, said Trump’s endorsement was a factor in his decision to back Paxton and that “maybe it’s time for a change.” Linda Williams said she voted for Cornyn, calling Paxton “a crook” and expressing concern about his electability in the fall.
In other primary races decided Tuesday, newly elected U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee defeated longtime Rep. Al Green in Houston’s 18th District. Former Rep. Colin Allred beat U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson in the Dallas-area 33rd District. Near San Antonio, Johnny Garcia won the Democratic primary in the 35th District against Maureen Galindo. Garcia will face Republican Carlos De La Cruz.
Democrats need to gain a net of four Senate seats to take the majority in November. Paxton’s nomination, which some national Republicans warned could be a liability in a general election, will test whether the party’s rightward primary dynamic carries a cost in statewide competition.