Ken Paxton Launches Senate Bid Against John Cornyn \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced a 2026 U.S. Senate run, launching a primary challenge against Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Backed by Donald Trump and popular with far-right conservatives, Paxton’s bid marks a fierce intra-party clash. Legal controversies and high-profile impeachment battles define his path to national prominence.
Quick Looks:
- Ken Paxton will challenge Sen. John Cornyn in the 2026 GOP primary.
- Paxton made the announcement on Fox News and on X (formerly Twitter).
- He positions himself as a Trump loyalist, vowing to fight the “D.C. establishment.”
- Cornyn faces his first serious primary challenge since 2002.
- Paxton overcame felony charges, impeachment, and federal investigations.
- Cornyn criticized Trump and supported bipartisan gun legislation in 2022.
- Paxton led the lawsuit to overturn Trump’s 2020 loss.
- GOP rift deepens as Texas braces for a heated Senate race.
Deep Look
Ken Paxton to Challenge Sen. John Cornyn in High-Stakes 2026 Republican Primary
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has officially announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate, launching a primary challenge against fellow Republican Sen. John Cornyn in what is expected to be one of the most watched — and most expensive — GOP showdowns of the 2026 election cycle.
The move, long rumored and openly teased by Paxton for more than a year, became official Tuesday night during an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham. Shortly afterward, Paxton posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“I’m running for U.S. Senate to fight for President Trump’s agenda and take a sledgehammer to the D.C. establishment. Together, let’s send John Cornyn packing.”
Trump Loyalty vs. Establishment Credentials
Paxton, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, has used his time in statewide office to establish himself as one of the GOP’s leading far-right figures. His campaign now sets up a dramatic clash between two Republicans who represent starkly different wings of the party: Cornyn, the veteran dealmaker and former No. 2 in Senate GOP leadership, and Paxton, the firebrand attorney general who has waged legal and cultural battles over abortion, gun rights, and transgender care.
While Cornyn has a long-standing national profile and deep fundraising connections — having helped the party raise millions over decades — he has increasingly drawn criticism from within his own party. Paxton and other hardline conservatives have slammed Cornyn for suggesting that Trump might not be the ideal 2024 nominee and for backing a bipartisan gun bill in 2022 after the Uvalde school shooting.
Paxton’s Tumultuous Path to Senate Candidacy
Paxton’s decision underscores his political durability, even after a string of scandals that would have ended most political careers.
His resume of legal troubles includes:
- Felony securities fraud charges dating back to 2015 (recently resolved through a deferred prosecution agreement).
- A 2023 impeachment trial, where he was accused of bribery and abuse of office — and ultimately acquitted in the Texas Senate.
- An FBI corruption investigation triggered by whistleblower complaints from his top aides.
- A failed U.S. Supreme Court lawsuit seeking to overturn Trump’s 2020 election loss.
Despite it all, Paxton has emerged stronger among conservative voters, frequently casting himself as a target of the political establishment and weaponized government.
“They tried to take me out, but Texas voters stood with me,” Paxton has said at past campaign events.
In April, a Texas district court awarded $6.6 million to four former Paxton staffers who were fired after reporting him to the FBI. The judgment added further scrutiny to Paxton’s management, but supporters saw it as more evidence of institutional bias.
Cornyn’s Legacy Faces a Major Test
Sen. John Cornyn has served Texas in the U.S. Senate since 2002, carving out a reputation as a seasoned legislator and reliable party insider. A former Texas attorney general and state Supreme Court justice, Cornyn was once seen as a potential successor to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell but lost a bid for leadership in 2023.
In recent years, Cornyn has worked across the aisle on several major issues — including gun safety, criminal justice reform, and tech regulation — moves that have fueled criticism from the GOP’s populist base.
Still, Cornyn’s establishment credentials, donor base, and legislative record make him a formidable opponent. A Cornyn spokesperson has yet to issue a statement on Paxton’s announcement.
The Intra-Party Feud Heats Up
Paxton’s entrance sets up a GOP civil war in one of the party’s most influential states. Backed by Donald Trump, Paxton is likely to attract strong support from national right-wing organizations and grassroots activists. With Trump potentially running again in 2028 or continuing to dominate the GOP, his endorsement may become a decisive factor.
The contest also signals the rising importance of Texas as a political bellwether. What happens in this primary could shape the Republican Party’s national trajectory — either affirming a return to Trump-style populism or preserving institutional conservatism.
Timeline to 2026
The Texas Republican primary is expected to take place in March 2026, but the campaign is now fully underway. Paxton’s early entry gives him a head start in fundraising and building momentum. Expect months of aggressive messaging, policy contrasts, and national media attention.
Political strategists say it’s too early to predict an outcome, but one thing is clear: this won’t be a quiet race.
Ken Paxton Launches Ken Paxton Launches
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