After months of speculation and behind-the-scenes maneuvering, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has officially launched his campaign for U.S. Senate, setting the stage for a dramatic Republican primary showdown with longtime incumbent Sen. John Cornyn.
“I’m excited to do this here, I am running for U.S. Senate against John Cornyn,” Paxton announced Tuesday night during an appearance on Fox News' The Ingraham Angle. "We have a great senator in Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). But it’s time we have another one who stands up for America and stands by Donald Trump."
Paxton’s decision, while long expected, instantly shakes up Texas politics. With deep ties to the pro-Trump wing of the GOP and a record of confrontational legal battles against the Biden administration, Paxton is positioning himself as the anti-establishment candidate eager to dethrone a sitting senator who has held office for over 20 years.
A Platform Built Around Trump—and Against Cornyn
In his official campaign statement, Paxton didn’t mince words about Cornyn, highlighting the senator’s support for a bipartisan 2022 gun reform package and his opposition to funding former President Donald Trump’s border wall project—two moves that drew criticism from the Republican grassroots in Texas.
“John Cornyn has been in Washington for over two decades, and he has turned his back on President Trump and the America First agenda time after time,” Paxton said. “Texans deserve far better than a senator who thinks it’s ‘naive’ to build a border wall to protect our citizens.”
Paxton framed himself as a “battle-tested” conservative who has fought “the establishment, the corrupt Biden Administration, and woke corporations,” promising to take that same “toughness” to Washington. His campaign website quietly went live just before his televised announcement.
The Long Game: From Impeachment to the National Stage
Paxton's political comeback follows a rocky 2023, when he faced impeachment by the Texas House on charges ranging from bribery to abuse of office. The trial ended in acquittal after a 12-day proceeding in the Texas Senate. Since then, Paxton has worked to rebuild his image among the conservative base, leaning heavily into his alliance with Trump and his legal crusades against federal agencies.
Last month, Paxton hinted at a Senate run in an interview with Punchbowl News, stating he would enter the race if he could secure $20 million in donor commitments by June—a benchmark he now appears confident he’ll reach.
Cornyn Hits Back, Sparking a Feisty Fight
Sen. Cornyn’s campaign wasted no time firing back, blasting Paxton’s record and personal integrity in a blistering statement.
“Ken Paxton is a fraud,” a Cornyn spokesperson said. “He talks tough on crime and then lets crooked progressive Lina Hidalgo off the hook... Ken claims to be a man of faith but uses fake Uber accounts to meet his girlfriend and deceive his family.”
The Cornyn camp also reminded voters of the senator’s close legislative alignment with Trump during his presidency, touting Cornyn’s voting record as more supportive of Trump than “95% of current Senators.” They painted Cornyn as the only Republican in the race with the experience to “protect Trump’s agenda” without being outmaneuvered by Democrats like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Paxton, characteristically dismissive, responded on social media: “Our campaign only responds to serious candidates who aren't 25 points down in the polls.”
All Eyes on Trump
As the primary takes shape, the biggest X-factor remains former President Donald Trump. Both Paxton and Cornyn—and potential contenders waiting in the wings—are angling for Trump’s coveted endorsement. In Texas GOP politics, Trump’s word often carries more weight than policy positions or fundraising numbers.
Other possible candidates, such as Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX-38), are reportedly testing the waters, running ads across the state despite not representing many of those areas. Whether Hunt or others officially enter the race could depend on whom Trump backs—or whether the contest becomes a two-man war between Paxton and Cornyn.
A Battle of the Titans
The primary is shaping up to be a heavyweight bout between two well-known Texas Republicans with starkly different styles: Paxton, the hard-charging culture warrior, and Cornyn, the institutionalist with deep Senate experience. It's a race that will not only decide the future of a Senate seat but could also offer a window into the evolving identity of the Republican Party in the Trump era.
