Full Breakdown
Record Early Turnout in Texas Republican Senate Runoff
5/26/2026, 9:12:14 PM
Early Turnout and Comparative Statistics
The Texas Secretary of State reports 829,119 mail-in and in-person early votes in the Republican runoff, a 103 % rise from 2020, 77 % from 2022, and 230 % from 2024. The figure is 61 % lower than the 1,342,995 early votes cast in the March Republican primary, which itself trailed the March Democratic primary’s 1,493,355 early votes. The surge coincides with the closely contested race between incumbent Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton for the GOP Senate nomination.
Background: Primary Race and Trump’s Endorsement
In March, Cornyn led Paxton by fewer than 20,000 votes, leaving both short of a majority and prompting a runoff. President Donald Trump, who had stayed neutral, endorsed Paxton in the final week, praising him and denouncing Cornyn as “VERY disloyal” and insufficiently supportive of the SAVE AMERICA ACT.
Official Statements & Campaign Positions
Cornyn told Nexstar he was surprised by Trump’s endorsement but said he remains confident of winning the runoff, arguing that the GOP’s best chance in November rests with his candidacy. Paxton, addressing a San Antonio crowd, urged voters to consider Cornyn’s 42-year record, prompting a chant of “No” when asked to cite an accomplishment. Democratic nominee James Talarico, after Trump’s endorsement of Paxton, framed the contest as a fight against “billionaire mega-donors and their corrupt political system.”
Criticism & Opposition
Paxton’s campaign directly attacked Cornyn’s legislative record, while Cornyn warned that Paxton’s legal controversies could become a liability in the general election. Talarico used the endorsement controversy to criticize the influence of wealthy donors, suggesting the Republican primary reflects deeper systemic issues.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Ken’s opponent was VERY disloyal to me, as President, and didn’t fight hard enough for the desperately needed SAVE AMERICA ACT,” — Donald Trump, former President
- “Were we to nominate somebody with the baggage that he brings into a general election, I think all that would be at risk,” — John Cornyn, U.S. Senator
- “Can you name one good accomplishment of John Cornyn in those 42 years,” — Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General (addressing crowd)
- “We already know who we’re running against: the billionaire mega-donors and their corrupt political system.” — James Talarico, State Representative
What’s Next: Runoff and General Election Outlook
The runoff will decide the Republican nominee who will face Talarico in November. Texans who missed the March primary can vote in the runoff, while March voters are limited to the party they originally chose. The result will shape the GOP’s strategy to retain the Senate seat amid heightened intra-party competition.
