Texas Republicans vie for U.S. Senate seat in heated primary

Cornyn, Hunt, and Paxton battle for GOP nomination as party aims to keep Texas red

Feb. 5, 2026 at 5:47am

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In a rare intraparty clash, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is fighting to extend his career in the March 3 Republican primary against Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt of Houston. The race has generated millions in outside spending as the GOP aims to keep the Texas Senate seat red amid Democrats' efforts to flip control of the chamber.

Why it matters

With the U.S. Senate currently split 53-47 in favor of Republicans, keeping Texas' Senate seat red is imperative for the GOP's ability to maintain control of the chamber. A Democratic flip would simplify the minority party's path to 51 seats and give Texas Democrats their first statewide win since 1994.

The details

The three candidates are similarly fashioning themselves as the candidate for MAGA Republicans and have touted their relationship with former President Donald Trump, who has so far refused to endorse any of them. They have not participated in a debate and are not expected to do so before the election. Cornyn, the incumbent, has faced criticism from Paxton for not being conservative enough, while Paxton has battled scandal through his 11 years as attorney general. Hunt, a political newcomer, is pitching himself as a younger alternative who can speak to both the GOP's old guard and MAGA activist flanks.

  • The Republican primary election is scheduled for March 3, 2026.
  • The race is expected to head to a May runoff due to the October entry of Hunt.

The players

John Cornyn

U.S. senator since 2003, making him the 11th-longest-serving member of the chamber. Served as Senate Republican whip from 2013 to 2019 and is a longtime member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Wesley Hunt

Currently serving his second term in the U.S. House as the representative for Texas' 38th Congressional District in Houston. A West Point graduate who served in the Army for eight years as an Apache helicopter pilot.

Ken Paxton

Has served as Texas attorney general since 2015. As attorney general, has spearheaded conservative legal challenges to the Obama and Biden administrations on various issues.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

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 case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.