In a decisive turn of events, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, besting incumbent Senator John Cornyn in a closely watched runoff election.
As of election night, Paxton commanded a substantial lead with 63 percent of the votes compared to Cornyn’s 37 percent, according to reports as the last polls closed.
The race was officially called shortly after 9 p.m. Eastern Time, finally confirming Paxton’s dominance.
Paxton’s performance was impressive, especially in early voting metrics, which had previously suggested Cornyn would perform better initially.
With roughly 36 percent of precincts counted at 8:25 p.m. Eastern Time, Paxton maintained a robust lead of 63 percent against Cornyn’s 37 percent.
This election showcased a dramatic contrast to the March 3 primary, where Cornyn narrowly prevailed, securing 42 percent to Paxton’s 40.5 percent.
On primary day, U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt garnered the remaining votes, leading to a runoff since neither candidate achieved the necessary 50 percent threshold.
During the runoff, Paxton consolidated support effectively, showing increased strength in rural and East Texas regions, and making gains in some suburban areas compared to the initial primary.
Although Cornyn retained strongholds in certain urban precincts, Paxton managed to close the gap in several key suburban counties.
Spending during the race reached unprecedented levels, exceeding $128 million overall, with Cornyn’s campaign raising over $13 million and Paxton’s efforts estimated between $4 million and $8 million. Ultimately, the Republican nominee emerged victorious despite the financial disparity.
A decisive factor in the closing days was the endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who publicly backed Paxton on May 19, emphasizing Paxton’s accomplishments and contrasting them with Cornyn’s record.
Paxton’s stronger-than-expected results were especially striking given close pre-election polling that labeled the competition as neck-and-neck.
🚨Trump endorsed Ken Paxton is crushing RINO and anti Save America Act Senator Cornyn in Texas GOP.
MAGA always wins.
Are you tired of winning yet?
HT @ThePatriotOasis pic.twitter.com/1L0Rm0g0ai
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) May 27, 2026
Trump’s endorsement came at a crucial time and marked a departure from Senate leadership support for Cornyn, highlighting Paxton as a “true MAGA Warrior.”
With the nomination in hand, Paxton now prepares to face Democrat nominee James Talarico, a state representative and educator who emerged victorious from a tough primary. Early analyses indicate a potentially tight race ahead, with some polls suggesting Talarico may have a slight advantage or a tie in preliminary matchups.
Nevertheless, Texas remains fundamentally Republican, having not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988, consistently leaning towards GOP victories in statewide and presidential elections.
