Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-TX) said he won the Republican primary runoff for the U.S. Senate seat earlier this month [1], [4].
The defeat of a long-term incumbent by a challenger backed by the former president signals a shift in the state's Republican primary dynamics. This transition replaces a veteran legislator with a high-profile state official known for legal battles and a close alignment with the MAGA movement.
Paxton won the nomination after a runoff election held on a Tuesday in mid-May 2026 [3], [4]. The runoff was triggered because neither candidate secured a majority during the initial March primary [5].
John Cornyn (R-TX), a four-term incumbent senator, lost the seat to the Attorney General [1]. The loss marks a significant turnover for the Texas GOP delegation in Washington, a result that analysts attribute to the influence of national party figures.
President Donald Trump endorsed Paxton [2], a move that boosted his support among primary voters during the runoff [5]. Paxton said he won after polls closed on the Tuesday of the election [4], [5].
The victory secures Paxton's place as the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in Texas. He will now move forward to the general election to determine who will represent the state in the next term.
“Ken Paxton (R-TX) said he won the Republican primary runoff for the U.S. Senate seat.”
The victory of Ken Paxton over John Cornyn demonstrates the continued power of Donald Trump's endorsement within the Texas Republican base. By unseating a four-term incumbent, Paxton has shifted the ideological profile of the seat toward a more confrontational legal and political style, mirroring his tenure as Attorney General.
