Trump-backed Ken Paxton defeats incumbent John Cornyn in Texas GOP Senate primary

Paxton’s victory is part of a broader pattern in the 2026 midterm primaries. Trump-backed challengers also prevailed against Republican incumbents in Kentucky and Louisiana, where Representative Thomas Massie and Senator Bill Cassidy both lost their renomination bids.

A Pattern of Trump Loyalists Prevailing

The Texas result has deepened concerns among some Republicans that the party is nominating candidates who may struggle in a general election. In recent years, the GOP lost three Senate seats after Trump backed loyal but controversial contenders.

Paxton, 63, has been a polarizing figure since he was first elected Texas Attorney General in 2014. He built a reputation on hardline immigration policies, opposition to abortion, and lawsuits against the Obama and Biden administrations, including challenges to the Affordable Care Act.

His career has also been marked by legal and ethical troubles. Paxton has been indicted on charges of securities fraud and abuse of office, and he faced an impeachment proceeding that he survived after numerous fellow Republicans voted to remove him.

Scandals and Legal Challenges

Allegations against Paxton include bribery, nepotism, and providing political and legal assistance to a friend and major donor in exchange for help. His marriage ended following an extramarital affair that was linked to the corruption allegations.

Democrats see an opening. James Talarico, the Democratic nominee, will face Paxton in November in a state that has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in more than sixty years. However, some Republicans fear Paxton’s nomination could deter moderate voters and allow Democrats to flip the seat.

The stakes are high. If Democrats gain three Senate seats in the midterms, they would achieve a majority in the chamber. It is already considered highly likely that Democrats will win control of the House of Representatives.

What the Race Means for the Senate

The Texas Senate seat is open because the incumbent is vacating it. Cornyn, who remains in Congress until next January, is a long-serving senator popular in Washington, but his bipartisan style fell out of favor with the Trump-aligned base.

Paxton’s background includes studying psychology and law before working as an attorney. He served in the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate starting in 2002, and he and his wife founded a church and raised four children together.

The primary campaign exposed deep divisions within the Texas GOP. Some Republican senators considered Trump’s endorsement of Paxton unwise, and last week U.S. senators adjourned early for a recess without completing their business, partly due to internal disputes over finance bills and a proposed fund for what some called 'victims of justice under Biden.'