Texas Republicans Rally Behind Ken Paxton After Senate Runoff Upset of John Cornyn
Ken Paxton’s victory over longtime Sen. John Cornyn in Texas’ Republican Senate runoff is shaping up as one of the defining political stories of the 2026 midterm cycle.
Paxton, the Texas attorney general who survived impeachment and years of political controversy, defeated Cornyn after securing former President Donald Trump’s endorsement. The result signals that Republican primary voters continue to favor Trump-aligned candidates over establishment-backed incumbents.
The outcome also exposes a major debate inside the GOP: whether candidates who energize the conservative base are stronger in general elections than more traditional Republican officeholders.
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Several Texas Republicans who previously opposed Paxton have already moved to support him as the party focuses on holding the Senate seat.
Looking ahead, analysts will watch several key midterm factors. Trump’s continued influence, voter turnout, economic conditions, fundraising, suburban voter trends, and whether Democrats can capitalize on candidate controversies in competitive races.
The Texas contest is now expected to become one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country.
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