Ken Paxton Challenges 4-Term John Cornyn in Texas Senate Runoff Despite Indictment, Impeachment
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 18
Ken Paxton Challenges 4-Term John Cornyn in Texas Senate Runoff Despite Indictment, Impeachment
6 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 18
Ken Paxton has turned Texas’s Republican Senate runoff into a volatile contest against four-term incumbent John Cornyn, despite entering the race under felony indictment and after surviving impeachment.
Tens of millions of dollars in spending against Paxton in the primary did not stop his advance, underscoring his resilience with a GOP base that has largely shrugged off scandal.
Angela Paxton, his wife of 38 years, filed for divorce last year on “biblical grounds,” adding a personal crisis to allegations of adultery, bribery, obstruction and abuse of public trust.
Texas Republicans interviewed by the Times described a race in which some voters remain uneasy about Paxton’s conduct but still cannot bring themselves to back Cornyn.
The runoff later this month could shape not just Texas Republican politics but the partisan balance of power in Washington.
In a race with over $122 million spent, what does this election reveal about money's influence on voters?
Texas Republican Senate Runoff 2026: Cornyn, Paxton, and the High-Stakes Fight for Party Control
Overview
The Republican primary runoff for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas, as of May 18, 2026, has become one of the most closely watched and contentious races in the country. Incumbent Senator John Cornyn faces Attorney General Ken Paxton in a battle that many see as a fight for the soul of the Texas Republican Party. This contest highlights a sharp divide between traditional conservative values and a more combative, insurgent style of politics. The campaign has been marked by negative tactics and personal attacks, drawing attention from both state and national leaders and underscoring the high stakes involved.