The ideological divide within the United States Republican party deepened Tuesday as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated incumbent John Cornyn in the state’s primary runoff for the U.S. Senate. Paxton secured the party nomination with 63.5 percent of the vote compared to Cornyn’s 36.5 percent, according to the Associated Press. The election outcome officially advances Paxton to face Democratic nominee James Talarico in the upcoming November general election.
The runoff election followed a March primary where neither candidate reached the 50 percent threshold required to win outright. The contest evolved into an extensive financial effort, setting a record as the most expensive Senate primary race in U.S. history with total expenditures reaching approximately $100 million. One week prior to the May 26 runoff, former President Donald Trump officially endorsed Paxton on social media, stating that Cornyn was “VERY disloyal to me.”
Cornyn has held elected office for over 40 years, serving as a district judge, Texas Supreme Court justice, Texas attorney general, and a four-term U.S. Senator. His defeat on Tuesday marks the first time a primary challenger has ousted an incumbent U.S. senator from Texas since Lloyd Bentsen defeated Ralph Yarborough in 1970. Following the race call, Cornyn conceded to Paxton and stated he intends to support the Republican ticket in the general election. During a watch party on election night, Paxton’s son-in-law Daniel Hayworth led a prayer criticizing Talarico, asking for a blessing against the Democratic candidate who he claimed “twists your word,” according to live media reactions surrounding the event.
The election results establish a clear preference among Texas Republican voters for grassroots populist candidates over traditional establishment figures. The focus now turns to the general election, where Democrats aim to utilize Paxton’s past legal controversies, including a 2023 impeachment trial that resulted in his acquittal. Talarico released a campaign advertisement shortly after the runoff results were confirmed, directly targeting Paxton’s political and legal record as the two begin their contest for the Senate seat.