Ken Paxton Defeats John Cornyn in Texas Republican Senate Nomination
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has emerged victorious over Senator John Cornyn, marking another significant win for candidates backed by former President Donald Trump in the Republican Senate nomination race, as reported by NBC News.
Paxton is now set to face Democratic state Representative James Talarico in the upcoming November election, a contest that is pivotal for the Senate majority.
Trump’s endorsement, received last week, served as a last-minute boost for Paxton’s campaign against Cornyn, who has held his Senate seat since 2003. Both candidates participated in Tuesday’s runoff after no individual garnered more than 50% of the vote in a multi-candidate primary held in March.
This victory for Paxton aligns with Trump’s ongoing strategy to remove incumbent Republicans he views as insufficiently aligned with his vision for the party. Earlier this month, Trump similarly backed a Republican candidate who successfully challenged Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie and Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, among others.
During an appearance on The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show, Paxton remarked on the significance of Trump’s endorsement, stating that it represents the “golden rule” of political influence. He emphasized that, throughout his years in politics, he has never witnessed endorsements carry such weight.
In the months leading up to the runoff, many, including Cornyn and Senate Republican leadership, expressed concerns about Paxton’s viability in the general election, urging Trump to support the established senator instead. However, the president ultimately labeled Paxton a “true MAGA warrior.”
Cornyn’s supporters have raised alarms that Paxton’s ongoing controversies could jeopardize the Republican position in Texas and divert essential resources from other Senate races, despite Trump’s significant 14-point victory in the state during the last election.
Controversies and Legal Challenges Surrounding Paxton
In 2023, Paxton faced impeachment by the Republican-controlled state House on charges of bribery and corruption, although he was subsequently acquitted by the state Senate. Additionally, last year his wife announced their divorce on what she described as “biblical” grounds.
Despite these challenges, Paxton’s team maintains that he possesses a unique capability to galvanize Trump’s loyal supporters, a demographic that often lacks turnout during midterm elections.
Addressing concerns about his previous controversies, Paxton equated his situation to that of Trump, arguing that what truly matters is how effectively he has served the people of Texas compared to his opponent, Cornyn.
Republican Dynamics and Future Challenges
Cornyn has stated he would endorse Paxton in the general election should he lose the runoff, affirming his commitment to the Republican Party. Nonetheless, some Republicans remain apprehensive about supporting the attorney general, given his history of controversy.
During the primary, Paxton consistently highlighted his loyalty to Trump, noting that he spearheaded the lawsuit challenging the results of the 2020 election.
As both candidates prepare for the general election, allies of Paxton are already strategizing against Talarico. The Lone Star Liberty PAC, which supports Paxton, has launched a television advertisement featuring Trump criticizing Talarico’s past comments on sensitive topics.
Financial Armament for the Texas Senate Race
The upcoming general election in Texas is anticipated to be costly, with Senate Republicans warning that additional funding may be necessary to bolster Paxton’s campaign. Talarico has reportedly raised over $40 million, although he has depleted much of that amount amid a rigorous primary battle. As of late March, he had close to $10 million remaining in his campaign account. In contrast, Paxton has raised approximately $7.6 million, leaving him with $2.3 million as of May 6.
Despite recently losing traction in the polls, Paxton secured his primary win even amid substantial opposition; Cornyn’s campaign and associated super PACs spent more than $21 million on advertising since the March primary, compared to nearly $7 million spent by Paxton and his allies.
