In Austin, Texas, a significant political battle is shaping up as Attorney General Ken Paxton declares his intention to run for the U.S. Senate. Paxton’s decision sets up a primary showdown against sitting Republican Senator John Cornyn, which promises to be one of the most hotly contested and financially demanding GOP races of the 2026 election cycle.
Paxton, known for his staunch alignment with former President Donald Trump, has been hinting at a Senate challenge for over a year. During this period, he has forthrightly portrayed himself as a leading figure for the Republican Party’s right-wing faction. His platform includes pioneering criminal investigations in areas such as abortion restrictions and gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors.
Paxton made the official announcement of his candidacy during an appearance on “The Ingraham Angle” on Fox News. This move comes as he is no longer burdened by longstanding legal issues that, despite their gravity, haven’t deterred his twice-successful reelection bids. In a statement on X, Paxton emphasized, “I’m running for U.S. Senate to fight for President Trump’s agenda and take a sledgehammer to the D.C. establishment.” His post concluded with an appeal to rally support against Cornyn.
In response, Cornyn’s campaign was quick to criticize Paxton, labeling him a “fraud” in light of his historic 2023 impeachment. This impeachment was initiated after allegations from Paxton’s close associates accused him of corruption, leading them to report him to the FBI. Paxton was ultimately acquitted after a trial in the Texas Senate, where his wife serves as a senator but did not participate in the vote.
“This will be a spirited campaign and we assure Texans they will have a real choice when this race is over,” remarked Cornyn’s campaign in a public statement. The unfolding race puts a spotlight on Paxton’s enduring political appeal among Texas Republicans despite years of legal controversies, including securities fraud charges, impeachment proceedings, and an FBI probe, though he recently settled the criminal case and avoided federal prosecution.
Senator Cornyn, who holds a respected position among the GOP leadership in Washington, now faces potentially his most challenging election since first taking office in 2002. Although he has played a prominent role in party politics, notably in his unsuccessful bid to become the GOP Senate majority leader, Cornyn’s bipartisan approach has sometimes drawn criticisms.
Paxton, among other Republicans, has been vocal in criticism of Cornyn’s stance on various issues. Reflecting this tension, Cornyn’s contributions toward a bipartisan gun control bill in 2022 post-Uvalde school tragedy has not sat well with Paxton, adding another layer of contention between the two.
Throughout his legal struggles, Paxton has solidified his identity as a major player on the conservative stage, vigorously opposing the policies of President Joe Biden. Notably, he pursued litigation seeking to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, albeit unsuccessfully as the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the case.
In 2023, the Texas House, controlled by the GOP, impeached Paxton over alleged bribery tied to a real estate donor, followed by his acquittal in the Senate, where he previously served. Reports indicate that the Justice Department chose not to actively pursue these allegations in the waning weeks of Biden’s administration.
Recently, a court ordered a $6.6 million settlement to four former senior aides of Paxton who were dismissed after reporting him to the FBI, with Paxton’s office announcing an intent to appeal the decision. In the 2022 elections, despite George P. Bush making Paxton’s legal challenges a focal point of his primary campaign, Paxton secured a decisive runoff victory.
As of now, no Democratic candidate has entered the 2026 race, yet the Democrats have not seen a statewide office victory in Texas for more than three decades, marking a challenging path ahead for any contenders outside the GOP.