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Grapevine Today
By the People, for the People
CPAC Activists Embrace Paxton as MAGA's Choice for Texas Senate Over Cornyn
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton positions himself as the grassroots favorite in the Republican Senate runoff election
Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:18pm
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has emerged as the favored candidate among right-wing activists at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas. Paxton is in a bitter runoff with incumbent Senator John Cornyn, who has the backing of the party establishment but has struggled to win over the MAGA base. Paxton's embrace of Trump-aligned policies like the SAVE Act has helped him gain traction with the grassroots, even as Cornyn has sought to align himself more closely with the former president.
Why it matters
The Texas Senate race has become a proxy battle between the Republican establishment and the populist MAGA wing of the party. Paxton's rise highlights the continued influence of Trump-aligned activists within the GOP, even as the party grapples with internal divisions. The outcome of the runoff could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate.
The details
At CPAC, Paxton was extolled by speakers like former Trump adviser Steve Bannon as "emblematic of the grassroots of the MAGA movement." When CPAC senior fellow Mercedes Schlapp polled the crowd, there was a roar of cheers for Paxton but only a light ripple of boos for Cornyn. Paxton has appealed to Trump supporters by embracing the SAVE Act, which would impose new proof-of-citizenship requirements for voting - a priority for the former president. Cornyn, meanwhile, has faced criticism from some conservatives for his past positions, including his early criticism of Trump's border wall proposal and his co-sponsorship of gun control legislation.
- The Texas Senate primary election is scheduled for May 26, 2026.
- Paxton was impeached but acquitted by the Texas Legislature four years ago.
The players
Ken Paxton
The Texas Attorney General who has positioned himself as the grassroots favorite in the Republican Senate runoff election.
John Cornyn
The incumbent U.S. Senator from Texas who has the backing of the Republican establishment but has struggled to win over the party's MAGA base.
Donald Trump
The former president whose endorsement in the Texas Senate race has been highly sought after by both Paxton and Cornyn.
Steve Bannon
A former Trump adviser who hosts the "War Room" podcast and has endorsed Paxton as "emblematic of the grassroots of the MAGA movement."
Mercedes Schlapp
A CPAC senior fellow who polled the crowd at the conference, eliciting a roar of cheers for Paxton and only a light ripple of boos for Cornyn.
What they’re saying
“Ken Paxton is emblematic of the grassroots of the MAGA movement across the nation.”
— Steve Bannon, Former Trump Adviser, Host of "War Room" Podcast
“I want you to know, there's only one reason I got through all that, and it's by the grace of God. He absolutely delivered me, and he used to people of Texas to deliver me.”
— Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General
“Cornyn's trying to change his stripes now. It's too little too late.”
— Joe Ropar, 72-year-old Defense Contractor
“In Paxton's career, he's been faithful to what he's said he's going to do.”
— James Schaare, 61-year-old Church Music Leader
“But I'm not sure about the runoff. It might be time for something new.”
— Valerie Burge, Retired Music Teacher
What’s next
The Texas Senate runoff election is scheduled for May 26, 2026. The winner of the Republican nomination will face the Democratic nominee, James Talarico, in the general election.
The takeaway
The Texas Senate race has become a proxy battle between the Republican establishment and the populist MAGA wing of the party. Paxton's rise highlights the continued influence of Trump-aligned activists within the GOP, even as the party grapples with internal divisions. The outcome of the runoff could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate.
