Full Breakdown
Ken Paxton Upsets John Cornyn in Texas Senate Runoff
5/27/2026, 6:43:23 AM
The Runoff Result
On May 26 2026 Texas voters chose state Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary runoff for the U.S. Senate seat. The Associated Press called the race for Paxton after 8 p.m. local time, reporting roughly 63 % of the ? 903,000 votes for Paxton and 37 % for Cornyn.
Background & Context
The March 3 primary left both candidates short of the 50 % threshold (Cornyn 42 %, Paxton 40.8 %). A runoff was mandated. The contest became the nation’s most expensive Senate primary, with total advertising exceeding $128 million—about $92 million for Cornyn and $36 million for Paxton (AdImpact). President Donald Trump announced his endorsement of Paxton on May 19, a week before voting.
Key Figures
- Ken Paxton – Texas Attorney General since 2015, former Trump ally, impeached by the state House in 2023 and acquitted by the Senate.
- John Cornyn – Four-term senator (first elected 2002), former Senate Republican whip, long-time establishment figure.
- Donald Trump – Former president, whose late endorsement has shifted GOP primaries in several states.
Timeline
- Mar 3: Primary results – no majority; runoff scheduled.
- May 19: Trump endorses Paxton.
- May 18-22: Early voting (? 671 k early ballots statewide).
- May 26, 7 p.m.: Polls close; results reported through the night.
- May 26, ? 8 p.m.: AP calls Paxton the winner; Paxton delivers victory speech.
Vote Totals & Campaign Spending
- Paxton: ? 903 k votes, 63 % share (? 570 k votes).
- Cornyn: ? 333 k votes, 37 % share.
- Paxton’s campaign raised $7.6 million, with $2.3 million cash on hand (May 6).
- Cornyn’s campaign and allied super-PACs spent ? $109 million on ads (including $21 million on a super-PAC).
Implications for the Senate and Texas Politics
Paxton’s victory makes the November general election a potential Democratic pickup; James Talarico, the Democratic nominee, would be the first Democrat to win a statewide Texas office since 1994 if successful. Senate Republicans warned that Paxton’s legal and personal controversies could force the party to expend additional resources to defend the seat. The outcome also underscores Trump’s continuing sway over GOP nominations.
Official Statements & Responses
- Ken Paxton thanked Trump, declared the win a “Texas-sized message to Washington,” and pledged to advance a “hard-line conservative agenda.”
- John Cornyn affirmed his support for the Republican ticket, stating, “I’ve always supported the Republican ticket, and I intend to do so again in this general election.” He also said he respects the voters’ decision.
Criticism & Opposition
Republican Senate leaders, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, warned that Paxton’s scandals—impeachment, a pending divorce, and past securities-fraud charges—make him a vulnerable general-election candidate. Cornyn’s allies argued that the party would need to spend significantly more to retain the seat. Democratic strategists view the race as their best chance to flip a Senate seat in a deep-red state.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Vote share varies by source: 62 % (KUT) vs. 63.4 % (AP).
- Total ad spending reported as $128 million (NYT) versus $135 million (270toWin).
- Early-vote turnout cited as 671 k (KUT) and ? 903 k total votes (AP).
Verbatim Quotes
- “Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate,” — Donald Trump, social-media post.
- “when everyone in Washington told him to abandon me and abandon the people of Texas, he didn’t listen. Instead, President Trump gave me his complete and total endorsement.” — Ken Paxton, victory speech.
- “I've always supported the Republican ticket, and I intend to do so again in this general election.” — John Cornyn, post-runoff statement.
- “John Cornyn is a good man, and I worked well with him, but he was not supportive of me when times were tough.” — Donald Trump, social-media post.
- “The voters of Texas made their decision and I must respect it,” — John Cornyn, after the loss.
- “Tonight we just sent a Texas-sized message to Washington,” — Ken Paxton, after the count.
What’s Next
Paxton will face James Talarico in the November 2026 general election. Both parties are mobilizing fundraising; early polls suggest a tighter race than typical for Texas. The outcome will influence Senate control for the final two years of President Trump’s term and test the durability of Trump-backed candidates in statewide contests.
