Trump-backed Ken Paxton wins Texas GOP Senate primary, ousting incumbent John Cornyn

Trump endorsed Paxton at the last moment before the runoff, calling him a 'real MAGA warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas'. The former president had targeted Cornyn as 'disloyal' because the senator had occasionally criticized him in the past.

A Trump Loyalist's Rise

Cornyn, once considered a potential Senate leader, becomes the latest Republican incumbent to fall to a Trump-endorsed challenger. In recent weeks, Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana also lost their primaries after being deemed insufficiently loyal to Trump.

Paxton has served as Texas Attorney General since 2014, building a national profile through hardline immigration policies, opposition to abortion, and opposition to LGBTQ rights. He repeatedly sued the federal government under Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, including challenges to the Affordable Care Act.

His career has also been marked by extensive legal and ethical controversies. Paxton has been indicted on charges of securities fraud and abuse of office, and he survived an impeachment proceeding in which many members of his own party voted against him. He has faced allegations of bribery, nepotism, and corruption.

Scandals and Controversies

Paxton's marriage ended following an extramarital affair that was linked to corruption allegations. A friend and major donor assisted Paxton, and in return Paxton helped him politically and legally, according to investigators.

The Democratic candidate for the Texas Senate seat is James Talarico. Democrats see an opportunity to flip the seat in November, despite the fact that Texas has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in more than sixty years.

Many Republicans are skeptical of Paxton's nomination, fearing his scandals will deter voters in the general election. Party strategists worry that Democrats could win the Senate seat and potentially gain the majority in the upper chamber of Congress.

Control of the Senate at Stake

The outcome of the Texas Senate race could determine which party controls the Senate. If Democrats gain three seats in the midterm elections, they would hold a majority. It is considered highly likely that Democrats will win a majority in the House of Representatives.

Without a majority in Congress, Trump's ability to act would be largely constrained. The Republican Party has already lost three Senate seats in recent years because Trump backed loyal but controversial candidates.

Paxton studied psychology and law and worked as a lawyer before entering politics. He served in the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate starting in 2002, and he and his wife founded a church and have four children together.

The Republican incumbents who lost their primaries remain in Congress until next January. Last week, Senators adjourned early for a one-week recess without completing their business, as some Republican members blocked finance bills because they opposed a planned fund for what they called 'victims of justice under Biden'.