Story perspectives

Paxton Nomination Threatens GOP’s November Prospects in Texas

3/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

A Paxton nomination could harm the GOP's November chances as incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn faces Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt.
Democrats see a chance to regain the seat, with Rep. James Talarico and Rep. Jasmine Crockett vying for the nomination.
U.S. President Donald Trump has not committed to an endorsement, though his potential support looms large.
Early voting shows increased Republican turnout against previous years.

History

Historical Context

In the 2018 Texas Senate race, Republican Ted Cruz narrowly defeated Democrat Beto O'Rourke by 2.6%, reflecting a changing political landscape as 8.4 million ballots were cast. This competitive environment continues today, with incumbents like John Cornyn facing strong Democratic challengers such as James Talarico, potentially reshaping Texas politics and influencing national election strategies.

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Story summary

A Paxton nomination could harm the GOP's November chances as incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn faces Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt.
Democrats see a chance to regain the seat, with Rep. James Talarico and Rep. Jasmine Crockett vying for the nomination.
U.S. President Donald Trump has not committed to an endorsement, though his potential support looms large.
Early voting shows increased Republican turnout against previous years.

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