Texas GOP Senate Primary Heats Up as Rivals Attack Newcomer Hunt

Cornyn and Paxton ramp up criticism of two-term Congressman Wesley Hunt ahead of primary vote

Feb. 26, 2026 at 8:54pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Texas U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, a late entrant to the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, is facing increased attacks from better-known rivals Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton. The two-term congressman and Iraq War veteran says the attacks show he is seen as a threat, but he maintains he can win the nomination outright or force a runoff election.

Why it matters

The Texas GOP Senate primary has become a heated contest, with the established candidates Cornyn and Paxton trying to fend off the insurgent campaign of the lesser-known Hunt. The race highlights the divisions within the Republican party, as well as the challenges facing incumbent senators like Cornyn who are trying to navigate the shifting political landscape.

The details

Hunt, who represents Houston's northwest suburbs, entered the race in October seeing an opportunity against Cornyn, a former state Supreme Court judge who has fallen out of favor with some Republican primary voters. Cornyn also became a target of conservatives because he supported a gun-control measure after the 2022 deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Hunt has portrayed himself as the most devoted to former President Trump, though none of the three candidates have received Trump's endorsement. In recent weeks, both Cornyn and Paxton have been spending more heavily on ads criticizing Hunt, suggesting they see him as complicating their paths to the nomination.

  • The Texas GOP primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, 2026.
  • If no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote on Tuesday, the nomination will be decided by a May 26, 2026 runoff election of the top two finishers.

The players

Wesley Hunt

A two-term Republican Congressman representing Houston's northwest suburbs, and a late entrant to the GOP Senate primary. Hunt is an Iraq War veteran and Apache helicopter pilot who has portrayed himself as the most devoted to former President Trump.

John Cornyn

The four-term incumbent Republican Senator from Texas, who has been the target of attacks from more conservative members of the party for his dismissal of Trump's 2024 candidacy and his support for a gun-control measure after the Uvalde school shooting.

Ken Paxton

The Texas Attorney General, who is also running in the GOP Senate primary. Paxton has faced a failed 2023 impeachment trial and accusations of extramarital affairs, which has worried some Republican leaders about his ability to win a general election campaign.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As an Apache helicopter pilot, it means I must be right over the target zone.”

— Wesley Hunt (Dallas GOP headquarters event)

“I was told this was going to be a vanity project and that I didn't have a chance. If that were the case, then why are they spending all this money attacking me?”

— Wesley Hunt (to reporters after Dallas event)

“I would never vote for Cornyn. He's out of step with today's GOP.”

— Bob Burns, Retired manufacturing executive (Dallas GOP headquarters event)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This race highlights the divisions within the Texas Republican party, as the establishment candidates Cornyn and Paxton try to fend off the insurgent campaign of the lesser-known Hunt. The outcome could have significant implications for the future direction of the GOP in the state.