Paxton defeats Cornyn in Texas Senate primary, setting up pivotal November contest

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has defeated four-term US Senator John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary run-off, a result projected by major media outlets including Fox News and CNN. The outcome, confirmed on Tuesday evening, marks the end of Cornyn’s Senate career and establishes a high-stakes general election in November against Democratic state Representative James Talarico. The contest is widely viewed as a potential key battleground for control of the US Senate.

Paxton’s victory was secured following a direct endorsement from President Donald Trump, which significantly reshaped the trajectory of the race. The President’s backing highlighted his continuing influence over the Republican Party and dealt a blow to the party establishment in Washington, DC. Cornyn, a former Republican whip and establishment conservative, had entered the race as the favourite with support from major donors and senior figures, but struggled to connect with Trump’s political base.

Cornyn’s difficulties in the primary were attributed to his previous criticisms of the President and his support for bipartisan gun legislation following the 2022 Uvalde school shooting. In contrast, Paxton positioned himself as a strong ally of Trump. Cornyn conceded the race, stating he had “come up short” but intended to continue supporting the Republican ticket. The defeat makes Cornyn the first Republican senator from Texas to lose his party’s nomination for re-election.

Paxton, 63, has faced years of legal and ethical controversies, including a 2023 impeachment by the Texas House of Representatives over allegations of bribery and misconduct. He was later acquitted by the Texas Senate and has consistently dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. Describing Trump’s endorsement as “the most powerful force in politics,” Paxton told supporters that the result made history.

The November general election will see Paxton face Talarico, 37, who has attracted moderate and independent voters. Talarico immediately labelled Paxton “the most corrupt politician in America” in a social media post and invited Cornyn’s supporters to join his campaign. An internal Republican Senate campaign memo warned last year that a Paxton nomination could give Democrats a rare opportunity to flip Texas, a seat long considered safe for Republicans.

Paxton acknowledged the challenges ahead, predicting that Talarico would raise more money than any Democrat in America. He urged his followers to donate to the campaign, stating, “If Republicans lose this state, we lose the country.” The race follows a pattern of Trump-backed challengers ousting incumbents who have fallen out of favour, including Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy and Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie.