Texas AG Paxton steps up Senate bid against GOP Sen. Cornyn

Early voting begins soon for the March 3 Republican primary election.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, is ramping up his campaign to unseat four-term GOP Sen. John Cornyn. Paxton held his first campaign rally on Monday night in Tyler, Texas, as early voting is set to begin for the March 3 Republican primary.

Why it matters

Paxton's bid to unseat the incumbent Cornyn has set up one of the most contentious Republican primaries this election cycle. Paxton is positioning himself as a 'Make America Great Again' devotee, which could appeal to some conservative voters but may also divide the Republican base.

The details

Paxton, who has served as Texas Attorney General since 2015, announced his Senate candidacy 10 months ago. His campaign rally on Monday night in Tyler, Texas drew around 100 supporters, marking a step up in his efforts to unseat Cornyn, who has served in the Senate since 2002.

  • Early voting for the March 3 Republican primary election is about to begin.
  • Paxton announced his Senate candidacy 10 months ago.

The players

Ken Paxton

The current Attorney General of Texas and a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate.

John Cornyn

The incumbent four-term Republican U.S. Senator from Texas who Paxton is challenging.

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What’s next

Early voting for the March 3 Republican primary election is set to begin soon, setting the stage for a contentious race between Paxton and the incumbent Cornyn.

The takeaway

Paxton's stepped-up campaign against the long-serving Cornyn highlights the divisions within the Texas Republican party, as Paxton positions himself as a 'Make America Great Again' candidate in contrast to the more establishment Cornyn.