May 2026: Ken Paxton Defeats John Cornyn in Texas GOP Senate Runoff
Ken Paxton defeated incumbent John Cornyn in the Texas GOP primary runoff on May 26, 2026.
Why it matters: This result marks a clear shift in Texas Republican leadership toward candidates endorsed by Donald Trump. It could reshape the Senate race and affect the GOP's hold on key districts.
- Ken Paxton won 62.5% of the vote to John Cornyn's 37.5% in the May 26, 2026, primary runoff.
- Donald Trump endorsed Paxton on May 19, 2026, boosting his campaign ahead of the runoff.
- Cornyn served as a U.S. Senator since 2002 and lost his bid for a fifth term.
- Paxton, Texas Attorney General since 2015, will face Democrat James Talarico in November.
Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General since 2015, secured a decisive victory over incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Texas Republican primary runoff held on May 26, 2026. Paxton captured approximately 62.5% of votes compared to Cornyn's 37.5%, as confirmed by official election results.
Donald Trump endorsed Paxton on May 19, 2026, one week before the runoff election. The former president described Paxton as a loyal supporter of his political agenda and emphasized Paxton's commitment to conservative values in Texas. This endorsement is widely viewed as a key factor energizing Paxton's voter base.
Senator Cornyn, who had represented Texas in the U.S. Senate since 2002, acknowledged his defeat and expressed concerns that Paxton's nomination might threaten Republican prospects in both the Senate race and five Texas congressional districts. Cornyn called Paxton's campaign "flawed and self-centered," highlighting divisions within the party between establishment Republicans and supporters aligned with Trump.
Paxton's campaign embraced his outsider status, promoting a platform aligned with Trump's policies. Despite ongoing legal controversies involving securities fraud charges and accusations of whistleblower retaliation, Paxton maintained strong support among GOP primary voters.
Looking ahead, Paxton will compete against Democrat James Talarico, a progressive member of the Texas House of Representatives, in the November general election. This matchup will test whether Paxton's association with Trump and his legal background resonate with the broader Texas electorate beyond the Republican base.
For official vote totals and further details, see the Texas Secretary of State runoff election results. Trump's endorsement was publicly announced through his official social media channels on May 19, 2026.
By the numbers:
- 62.5% — Paxton's share of the vote in the May 26 GOP runoff
- 37.5% — Cornyn's share in the same election
- 2002 — Year Cornyn was first elected U.S. Senator from Texas
Yes, but: While Paxton's win reflects strong support among Texas Republican primary voters, his legal controversies could be a liability in the November general election against Democrat James Talarico.
What's next: The November 3, 2026, general election will determine if Paxton can secure the Senate seat for Republicans amid a competitive contest against Talarico.