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Texas Senate Race Headed to May Runoff as Cornyn and Paxton Lead Contentious Primary
The expensive and contentious battle for the Republican Senate nomination in Texas is headed to a May runoff, after none of the candidates in the crowded field secured the required 50% threshold in Tuesday’s primary election.
Longtime incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton finished in the top two positions, with Rep. Wesley Hunt placing third, according to unofficial primary results. The runoff, scheduled for May 26, will determine who faces the Democratic nominee in November.
On the Democratic side, progressive Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, and rising star state Rep. James Talarcio are competing for the nomination. Either would face an uphill battle in attempting to become the first Democrat in nearly four decades to win a Senate seat in right-leaning Texas.
The Texas contest represents one of a handful of crucial Senate races across the country that could determine whether Republicans maintain their 53-47 majority in the chamber during the midterm elections.
The primary campaign has been exceptionally expensive, with the Cornyn campaign and aligned super PACs spending nearly $100 million on advertising, much of it attacking both Paxton and Hunt. In the closing weeks of the campaign, Cornyn warned that Democrats could flip the seat if Paxton emerged as the Republican nominee.
“If I’m the nominee, I’ll help President Trump by making sure that we carry the five new congressional seats as well as maintain this Senate seat and will help him continue his agenda through the last two years of his term of office,” Cornyn said in a Fox News Digital interview shortly before the primary.
Cornyn and his allies, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee, repeatedly highlighted Paxton’s numerous legal and ethical problems that have plagued him for the past decade, as well as his ongoing divorce proceedings. They argued these vulnerabilities would make the seat winnable for Democrats in November.
Paxton, a MAGA firebrand who gained national attention by filing numerous lawsuits against both the Obama and Biden administrations, dismissed these concerns. “I’m 3-0. I’ve won three statewide races,” he told Fox News Digital on the eve of the primary.
Pointing to polls showing him with an edge over Cornyn, Paxton added, “This idea that I can’t win a race is not true… there’s no evidence of what he’s saying is being true. As a matter of fact, the evidence is just the opposite.”
Paxton received a significant boost several weeks ago with an endorsement from the political wing of Turning Point USA, the influential grassroots conservative organization formerly led by the late Charlie Kirk.
The Republican primary had been largely a two-person race until Hunt, a West Point graduate and military veteran who flew helicopters during his service, entered the contest last fall. Hunt currently represents a solidly Republican district in suburban Houston.
“I think there’s going to be a runoff, no matter what happens,” Cornyn accurately predicted before the primary. Paxton, speaking to supporters on primary eve, suggested that a smaller turnout in the May runoff would improve his chances: “If we go to a runoff, the odds get better for me.”
President Trump, whose influence over the Republican Party remains substantial, has not yet endorsed any of the candidates, though all three sought his backing. All three were present at Trump’s event in Corpus Christi last Friday, where the president acknowledged their “interesting election” but remained neutral.
“They’re in a little race together,” Trump said of Cornyn and Paxton. “You know that, right? A little bit of a race. It’s going to be an interesting one, right? They’re both great people, too.”
Despite Trump’s neutrality, his top pollster Tony Fabrizio has been working with the Cornyn campaign, while Chris LaCivita, who served as co-campaign manager of Trump’s 2024 presidential run, has consulted for a major Cornyn-aligned super PAC.
As the runoff campaign begins, key questions remain whether Trump will eventually make an endorsement, and whether the major outside groups that supported Cornyn with substantial resources will continue their financial backing through the extended nomination battle.
The winner of the Republican nomination will face significant challenges in the general election, as Democrats aim to flip a seat in a state that has been reliably Republican for decades but has shown signs of becoming more competitive in recent election cycles.
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18 Comments
The Texas Senate race is certainly one to watch as we approach the midterm elections. With a crowded Republican field and the potential for a tight general election race, the outcome could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate.
Absolutely. Texas is a crucial battleground, and the Senate race there will be closely watched nationwide.
I’m curious to see how the Democratic primary race in Texas shapes up. Both Rep. Crockett and Rep. Talarcio seem like strong candidates with distinct policy platforms. It will be interesting to see which one the voters ultimately select as the nominee.
Yes, the Democratic primary is an important dynamic to watch. The party will be looking to make inroads in Texas, and the nominee’s ability to connect with voters will be crucial.
The Texas Senate race is certainly a high-profile contest, and it will be interesting to see how the runoff campaign unfolds. With the potential for a close general election, the outcome of this race could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate.
Agreed. It’s a race worth following closely, as the results could shape the broader political landscape in the coming years.
I’m curious to see how the Democratic primary race in Texas shakes out. Both Rep. Crockett and Rep. Talarcio seem like strong candidates, and it will be interesting to see which one emerges as the nominee to challenge the Republican in the general election.
Yes, the Democratic primary is another important dynamic to follow. The party will be looking to make inroads in Texas, which has been a Republican stronghold for decades.
The Texas Senate race is certainly a high-stakes contest, with both parties vying for control of the chamber. It will be interesting to see how the runoff campaign unfolds and which issues emerge as the key focus areas for the candidates.
Absolutely. The outcome of this race could have significant implications for the broader political landscape, so it’s an important one to follow.
Interesting to see the Texas Senate race headed to a runoff. The Republican primary has certainly been contentious, with several high-profile candidates vying for the nomination. I’m curious to see how the runoff plays out and who emerges as the nominee to face the Democrat in the general election.
Yes, the race has been quite heated. It will be important to see how the runoff campaign shapes up and which issues take center stage.
As a voter in Texas, I’m interested to see how the Republican and Democratic primaries play out. The Senate race is a crucial one, and I’ll be following the developments closely to understand the key issues and priorities of the candidates.
That’s a great perspective. It’s important for voters to stay informed and engaged in these important races, especially at the state and local level.
As someone with a keen interest in politics, I’ll be following the Texas Senate race closely. The primary campaign has been intense, and I’m curious to see how the runoff shapes up and what issues emerge as the key focus areas for the candidates.
Absolutely. This race is sure to be a closely watched contest, with significant stakes for both parties and the potential to impact the balance of power in the Senate.
The Texas Senate race is certainly shaping up to be a pivotal contest in the midterm elections. With the high-profile candidates and the potential for a close general election, it will be important to follow the developments closely.
Agreed. The outcome of this race could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate, so it’s definitely one to keep an eye on.