Texas Republicans are headed for a brutal Senate runoff that’s already draining money and trust. Sen. John Cornyn narrowly leads Attorney General Ken Paxton in the first round, with some votes still being counted Wednesday. Cornyn and Paxton advance to a May 26 runoff. Cornyn and his allies have spent nearly $70 million. Paxton has brushed off attacks tied to corruption and infidelity claims and sells himself as a Trump-style fighter. Paxton says he won’t let Cornyn “buy the seat.” Cornyn says Paxton would be “a dead weight” for Republicans in November. President Donald Trump has stayed neutral. Republicans worry the fight helps Democrats, who picked state Rep. James Talarico in their Tuesday primary.
Both now advance to a May 26 runoff election that Republicans fear could be even uglier and more expensive than the first contest.
“It’s judgment day for Ken Paxton,” Cornyn said on Tuesday night.
But whether any level of attacks can stop Paxton — wh… [3210 chars]
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Published: 2026-03-04T13:42:53Z
Credit: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
