Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton steps up Senate bid against GOP Sen. John Cornyn

Paxton is ramping up his campaign with early voting starting soon in Texas

Feb. 17, 2026 at 5:23am

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is intensifying his campaign to unseat four-term Republican Sen. John Cornyn, setting up one of the most contentious GOP primaries this year. Paxton, a MAGA devotee, is betting that his defiance of his own party's leaders and aggressive litigation for conservative priorities will help him overcome ethical and personal questions that have shadowed his tenure as attorney general.

Why it matters

Paxton's bid to unseat the more establishment-aligned Cornyn reflects the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party between traditional conservatives and Trump-aligned populists. The outcome could impact the balance of power in the Senate, where Democrats are hoping to make gains in November.

The details

Paxton is scheduled to hold his first major campaign rally on Monday, kicking off a four-day series of events across Texas as early voting begins. Until now, Paxton has run a relatively low-profile campaign, spending little money and drawing attention primarily through his work as attorney general, including numerous legal challenges against the Biden administration. But with the primary approaching, Paxton is ramping up his efforts, airing ads that tie him to former President Trump. Cornyn and his allies have spent over $54 million on TV ads attacking Paxton, reminding voters of his impeachment and personal scandals. Republican strategists say Paxton as the nominee would require significantly more resources to defend in the general election than the more establishment-friendly Cornyn.

  • Early voting in the Texas primary begins on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • The Texas primary election is scheduled for March 3, 2026.

The players

Ken Paxton

The current Texas Attorney General who is challenging incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP primary.

John Cornyn

The four-term Republican incumbent U.S. Senator from Texas who is facing a primary challenge from Paxton.

Wesley Hunt

A two-term Republican U.S. Representative from the Houston area who is also running in the GOP Senate primary, positioning himself as an alternative to both Paxton and Cornyn.

Greg Abbott

The Republican Governor of Texas who is seeking re-election.

Dan Patrick

The Republican Lieutenant Governor of Texas who is also seeking re-election.

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What they’re saying

“I wish they'd stop sending money from Washington, D.C. They are sending the money from D.C., and they're helping John Cornyn. And it's going to be … a lot of money spent, and he's going to end up losing.”

— Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General

“I think Ken Paxton is a fighter. Paxton sued then-President Joe Biden more than any other U.S. attorney general.”

— Troy Nehls, U.S. Representative from Texas

What’s next

The judge in Paxton's impeachment case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail as he continues his Senate campaign.

The takeaway

Paxton's aggressive, Trump-aligned campaign against the more establishment-friendly Cornyn reflects the ongoing power struggle within the Republican Party. The outcome of this primary could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate, where Democrats are hoping to make gains in November.