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Texas GOP Primary: Cornyn Edges Paxton, Trump’s Influence Looms

3/5/2026

45 10 Full Breakdown

Center

Cornyn Leads Primary

Sen. John Cornyn leads the Texas Republican primary against state Attorney General Ken Paxton, with a May runoff after 41.9% vs. 40.7%.
Democrats back state Rep. James Talarico, seen as a strong general-election candidate against either Republican.
Polls indicate U.S. President Donald Trump's endorsement could influence the primary outcome.
Texas remains crucial for both parties in the upcoming elections.

Right

Teixeira Wins Primary

Mark Teixeira, former New York Yankees player, won the Texas's 21st Congressional District Republican primary with 61.4% of the vote.
Teixeira aims to succeed Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who is running for attorney general.
The district is solidly Republican, which gives Teixeira an advantage in the general election.
His campaign is endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump and focuses on border security, economic growth, and military strength.

History

Historical Context

In the 2016 Texas Republican primary on March 1, Donald Trump won 52.2% of the vote, significantly influencing the Republican landscape. His victory, marked by endorsements from figures like Ted Cruz and Greg Abbott, highlighted a shift in Texas politics, as Trump’s appeal among voters reshaped candidate dynamics leading into the 2024 elections, echoing the ongoing impact of his 2016 campaign.

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Cornyn Leads Primary

Sen. John Cornyn leads the Texas Republican primary against state Attorney General Ken Paxton, with a May runoff after 41.9% vs. 40.7%.
Democrats back state Rep. James Talarico, seen as a strong general-election candidate against either Republican.
Polls indicate U.S. President Donald Trump's endorsement could influence the primary outcome.
Texas remains crucial for both parties in the upcoming elections.

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