Texas attorney general Paxton, US Senator Cornyn headed to Republican runoff

’Texas Republican primary for U.S. Senate is going to a May 26 runoff between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton after neither cleared 50% of the vote in a crowded field.

What happened

• Cornyn finished first in the multi‑candidate primary but fell short of a majority, triggering a runoff under Texas law.

• Paxton placed second, advancing to a one‑on‑one contest with Cornyn; Rep. Wesley Hunt and several minor candidates trailed far behind.

• Major outlets are projecting the Cornyn–Paxton matchup as returns show both consolidating most of the Republican vote between them.

Why it matters

• The race has become a proxy fight over the future direction of the GOP in Texas, pitting Cornyn’s long‑tenured, leadership‑backed conservatism against Paxton’s more confrontational, MAGA‑aligned brand.

• National Republicans have poured tens of millions into supporting Cornyn, warning that Paxton’s extensive ethical and legal controversies could put an otherwise safe GOP Senate seat at risk in November.

• Republican primary electorates in Texas tend to be more ideologically conservative, which could give Paxton a structural advantage in a lower‑turnout runoff even though Cornyn leads the initial vote count.

Key numbers snapshot

Looking to the runoff

• The runoff is scheduled for May 26, giving both campaigns nearly three months to intensify attacks and consolidate voters from the eliminated candidates.

• Cornyn is expected to stress electability and the risk that Paxton could endanger GOP control of the seat, while Paxton will frame the race as a choice between an establishment insider and a fighter aligned with President Trump’s agenda.