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War in Iran Jolts Final Day of Texas Primary Campaigning
Candidates tread carefully in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes, with some giving the war a glancing mention while others avoid it entirely.
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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Candidates in Texas' tightly competitive U.S. Senate primary were cautious in their response to the U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran, with some briefly mentioning the conflict and others avoiding it altogether in the final hours of campaigning before Tuesday's election. Republican candidates were more robust in their support of the Trump administration's action than Democrats, but many expressed uncertainty about the long-term objectives and exit strategy.
Why it matters
The sudden escalation of military action against Iran has injected foreign policy and national security issues into the final stretch of the Texas Senate primary race, which was previously focused more on domestic issues. Candidates' responses to the strikes could impact voter perceptions and turnout in a tight race.
The details
Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton briefly discussed the strikes, saying he believed President Trump did not intend to start an "open-ended war" and wanted to "get this over with." Four-term Republican Sen. John Cornyn also expressed support for the attacks but said there would be further debate in Congress about the goals and objectives. Democratic candidates like James Talarico and Charles Padmore were more critical, with Padmore calling the strikes "absolutely horrible" and saying Trump had not adequately explained his objectives.
- The U.S. and Israel conducted the strikes against Iran on March 2, 2026.
The players
Ken Paxton
The Republican state Attorney General of Texas who is running in the Senate primary.
John Cornyn
The four-term Republican U.S. Senator from Texas who is facing a competitive primary challenge.
James Talarico
A Democratic candidate running for the U.S. Senate in Texas.
Charles Padmore
A Houston resident and critic of the U.S. strikes against Iran.
Donald Trump
The former U.S. President who ordered the strikes against Iran.
What they’re saying
“An open-ended war? I don't have any intelligence, but I don't think that's Trump's idea. He wants to get this over with.”
— Ken Paxton, Republican state Attorney General
“We'll have a debate in Congress what the goals and objectives are. I am completly satisfied in the president's explanation.”
— John Cornyn, U.S. Senator
“It shouldn't have happened. It's illegal. We're the aggressor. They didn't do anything to us, really, so we shouldn't have been so aggressive in attacking them, and a lot of people have died.”
— Charles Padmore
What’s next
Congress is expected to hold hearings and debates about the goals and objectives of the U.S. strikes against Iran in the coming weeks.
The takeaway
The sudden escalation of military action against Iran has injected foreign policy issues into the final stretch of the Texas Senate primary, with candidates offering a range of responses that could impact voter perceptions and turnout in the tight race.
