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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton steps up Senate bid
Paxton, a MAGA devotee, is challenging four-term Republican Sen. John Cornyn in a contentious GOP primary
Feb. 17, 2026 at 10:23am
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is ramping up his campaign for the U.S. Senate, scheduling a series of rallies across the state as he seeks to unseat four-term Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Paxton, a staunch conservative who has pursued numerous legal challenges against the Biden administration, is positioning himself as an alternative to Cornyn, who is seen as the stronger general election candidate by Senate Republican leaders.
Why it matters
The race between Paxton and Cornyn has set up one of the most contentious GOP primaries this year, with Paxton betting that his defiance of party leaders and aggressive litigation for conservative priorities will help him overcome ethical and personal questions that have shadowed his tenure as attorney general.
The details
Paxton is scheduled to make his first major campaign appearance at a rally on Monday night, part of a four-day series of events to publicize the start of early voting in Texas. Until now, Paxton has run a relatively low-profile campaign, spending little money and drawing attention primarily through his work as attorney general, including suing the Biden administration over immigration and border policies. Cornyn and his allies have spent heavily on attack ads against Paxton, reminding voters of his impeachment trial and his wife's divorce claim alleging extramarital affairs.
- Early voting in the Texas primary election begins on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
- If no candidate receives 50% of the vote in the primary, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff on May 26, 2026.
The players
Ken Paxton
The three-term Texas Attorney General who is challenging four-term Republican Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP primary.
John Cornyn
The four-term Republican U.S. Senator from Texas who is seeking re-election.
Jasmine Crockett
A U.S. Representative seeking the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat.
James Talarico
A Texas state Representative seeking the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat.
John Thune
The Senate Majority Leader and chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which has expressed concerns about Paxton's electability in the general election.
What’s next
The judge in Paxton's impeachment trial will decide on Tuesday whether to allow him out on bail.
The takeaway
The contentious GOP primary between Paxton and Cornyn highlights the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party, with Paxton positioning himself as a MAGA-aligned conservative alternative to the more establishment-backed Cornyn. The outcome could have significant implications for the party's chances of holding on to the Senate seat in the general election.
