Ken Paxton Launches Senate Campaign, Challenges Sen. John Cornyn’s Seat
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton formally launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate on Monday, announcing his challenge to incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the upcoming 2026 Republican primary. With his announcement, Paxton solidifies what has long been speculated—a major showdown between the MAGA-aligned conservative and one of Washington’s most established GOP fixtures.
Paxton made his announcement during an interview with conservative talk show host Steve Bannon, stating, “I’m in. I’m running against John Cornyn.” His statement immediately set the stage for what is expected to be one of the most watched and contentious primary battles of the next election cycle.
It's official. I’m running for U.S. Senate to fight for President Trump’s agenda and take a sledgehammer to the D.C. establishment.
Together, let's send John Cornyn packing: https://t.co/rQl0P2UnWU pic.twitter.com/1KIajC0JhN
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) April 8, 2025
The Texas Attorney General has long been seen as a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump and has consistently aligned himself with America First policies. In contrast, Senator Cornyn, who has served since 2002, has increasingly drawn criticism from conservative grassroots activists for what many view as compromising too often with Democrats and distancing himself from the MAGA movement.
“This is not just about replacing a senator,” said a Paxton supporter in response to the announcement. “It’s about replacing weak Republican leadership that has failed to stand up to the Biden administration.” That sentiment resonates with many Republican voters in Texas who believe Cornyn has failed to match the conservative will of the state.
Paxton, who has served as Texas Attorney General since 2015, has built his political brand on aggressively pursuing lawsuits against the Biden administration, challenging open border policies, and defending conservative values in court. His legal fight against the 2020 presidential election results earned him national attention and firm support from the Trump base.
Cornyn, who has held leadership positions within the Senate GOP, including serving as Senate Minority Whip, has lately found himself out of step with many in the Texas Republican base. His involvement in bipartisan talks on gun control legislation and other policy compromises has alienated conservatives who view his tenure as emblematic of Washington’s establishment politics.
While some Republican operatives see the Cornyn-Paxton matchup as a test of Trump’s enduring influence over the GOP, others see it more broadly as a battle between the grassroots and the ruling class. Cornyn has not yet formally responded to Paxton’s announcement but has previously dismissed speculation about a potential challenge.
The campaign is expected to focus heavily on key issues including immigration, the border crisis, and the future direction of the Republican Party. Paxton’s record of suing the Biden administration over immigration enforcement and his vocal opposition to sanctuary cities will likely play well with Texas voters frustrated by the ongoing border disaster.
Democrats, meanwhile, are likely to watch the primary unfold from the sidelines, calculating which Republican may be easier to face in a general election. However, in a deep-red state like Texas, the winner of the GOP primary often becomes the presumptive favorite in November.
Paxton’s path will not be without hurdles. His legal battles, including a now-resolved impeachment and ongoing federal investigations, have drawn criticism from some within the Republican establishment. But for MAGA-aligned voters, those same battles have only reinforced their belief that Paxton is willing to fight the system.
“Ken Paxton is the only one standing up for real Texans,” said a conservative voter in Dallas. “Cornyn stopped listening to us years ago. We’re ready for a change.”
Paxton’s grassroots appeal could prove potent, particularly among the Republican base that turned out in force for Trump in both 2016 and 2020. With the former president’s endorsement almost certain, Paxton could quickly gain momentum as the leading conservative alternative to Cornyn.
As of now, Cornyn remains one of the last remaining Republican senators from the Bush-era establishment. His close association with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has further alienated him from voters eager to see the GOP take a more aggressive stance against the Biden administration’s agenda.
The Senate seat Paxton is seeking will be on the ballot in November 2026, but the GOP primary, likely scheduled for March of that year, will be the real battleground. Political observers anticipate an early start to campaign operations on both sides as fundraising, endorsements, and media messaging begin to take shape.
For Texas conservatives dissatisfied with the current direction of the Republican Party in Washington, Paxton’s campaign offers a real opportunity to send a message. The contrast between Paxton’s combative, conservative style and Cornyn’s career establishment politics may represent the clearest test yet of whether the Republican Party is willing to embrace bold leadership over consensus-driven stagnation.
Paxton’s entrance into the race signals the continuation of a broader trend within Republican politics: the rising influence of candidates who reject compromise and demand results. With his proven record in legal battles, alignment with the MAGA movement, and unflinching commitment to Texas-first values, Ken Paxton may have just become the frontrunner in the race to redefine the GOP’s future in the Lone Star State.
Cornyn, should he seek reelection, will have to convince voters that his decades in Washington have not disconnected him from the concerns of everyday Texans. For now, though, the conservative base appears energized by the prospect of a candidate who promises to challenge the status quo and return the Senate seat to true conservative hands.
As the 2026 election season begins to take shape, all eyes are on Texas—where the battle for the soul of the Republican Party is about to unfold in full force.
