Trump-backed Ken Paxton wins Texas GOP Senate primary, alarming many Republicans

Cornyn, a former potential Senate leader, had occasionally criticized Trump. His loss follows a pattern in which well-connected Republican incumbents in Texas, Kentucky, and Louisiana have been ousted in primaries after being perceived as insufficiently loyal to Trump.

A pattern of Trump loyalty purges

Paxton's victory is the latest in a series of primary wins for Trump-endorsed candidates. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, both targeted by Trump for disloyalty, also lost their primaries.

Paxton has served as Texas Attorney General and previously in the state House and Senate. He pursued hardline immigration policies, opposed abortion and LGBTQ rights, and sued the Obama and Biden administrations multiple times, including over the Affordable Care Act.

However, Paxton's career has been marked by numerous scandals. He has been indicted on charges of securities fraud and abuse of office, and faced allegations of bribery and nepotism. He survived an impeachment proceeding in which many of his own party colleagues voted against him.

A candidate with a long list of scandals

His marriage ended following an extramarital affair that was closely linked to corruption allegations involving a friend and major donor who allegedly helped Paxton in exchange for political and legal assistance.

Many Republicans are now deeply concerned. They fear Paxton's baggage will deter moderate and independent voters in the November general election, potentially handing the seat to Democrat James Talarico.

Democrats see a rare opening. Texas has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in over sixty years, but party strategists believe Paxton's vulnerabilities make the race competitive.

National implications for Senate control

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

Some Republican senators privately considered Trump's endorsement of Paxton unwise, given the party's recent history. In recent years, the GOP lost three Senate seats because Trump backed loyal but controversial candidates.

The outcome of the Texas race could determine control of the Senate. Republican incumbents who lost to Trump loyalists will remain in Congress until next January, but the party's legislative agenda faces immediate hurdles. Last week, senators adjourned early for a recess without completing their business, partly due to internal disputes over a proposed fund for what some called 'victims of justice under Biden.'