Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Launches Primary Challenge Against Sen. John Cornyn

 

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has officially announced he will challenge fellow Republican Senator John Cornyn in the upcoming GOP primary, setting the stage for a high-profile political battle within the state’s Republican Party.

In a statement released Tuesday, Paxton criticized Cornyn for what he called a “disconnect” with Texas conservatives and vowed to bring “bold, unapologetic leadership” to Washington.

“Texas deserves a senator who will stand up to the establishment and fight for our values,” Paxton said. “For too long, John Cornyn has been part of the problem—not the solution.”

Paxton’s announcement intensifies the divide between grassroots conservatives and the more traditional wing of the GOP, with Cornyn—who has served in the Senate since 2002—often seen as a key ally of Senate leadership.

Cornyn has not yet commented on Paxton’s challenge, but the upcoming primary is expected to draw national attention, especially given Paxton’s strong support among the party’s right wing and his alignment with former President Donald Trump.

The Texas primary is shaping up to be a major test of the Republican Party’s direction heading into 2026.

Texas AG Ken Paxton Launches Primary Bid Against Sen. John Cornyn, Escalating Intra-GOP Clash

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Tuesday night that he’s launching a Republican primary challenge against longtime U.S. Senator John Cornyn, igniting a political showdown between two prominent figures from opposing wings of the GOP.

Both men are seasoned statewide officeholders. Cornyn, a close ally of Senate leadership and former deputy to Mitch McConnell, has represented Texas in the Senate since 2002. Paxton, a hardline conservative and staunch Trump supporter, has served as attorney general since 2015.

“I’m running for U.S. Senate against John Cornyn, who apparently is running again for his fifth term, which would put him there for nearly three decades,” Paxton said during an appearance on Fox News' The Ingraham Angle. “It’s time for a change in Texas.”

Paxton emphasized the need for a senator who would “stand up and fight for Republican values” and “support Donald Trump in a significant way,” drawing a contrast with Cornyn’s more establishment-aligned record.

Cornyn, 73, has not formally launched his re-election campaign, but a spokesperson responded swiftly, defending his record and portraying Paxton as unfit for office.

“Texas needs a battle-tested conservative like John Cornyn,” the spokesperson said in a statement posted on X. “This will be a spirited campaign, and Texans will have a real choice. Ken Paxton is a fraud.”

Paxton’s announcement comes despite his own political baggage. In 2023, he was impeached by the Texas House on corruption charges but later acquitted by the state Senate. In 2024, he avoided a securities fraud trial stemming from a 2015 indictment by agreeing to pay $300,000 in restitution. Paxton has maintained his innocence throughout.

Still, Paxton remains popular among grassroots conservatives, especially for his efforts to support Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election and his numerous legal battles against the Biden administration.

The GOP primary field for the 2026 Senate race now includes Paxton, Cornyn, and Rennie Mann, president of an independent school board in Texas. The race is expected to be one of the most closely watched Republican primaries in the country.