Cornyn, Paxton Escalate Anti-Muslim Attacks Before May 26 Texas Senate Runoff
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 26
Cornyn, Paxton Escalate Anti-Muslim Attacks Before May 26 Texas Senate Runoff
6 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 26
Texas Republicans John Cornyn and Ken Paxton have turned anti-Muslim messaging into a central line of attack in their May 26 Senate runoff, with Paxton allies accusing Cornyn of backing “Muslim mass immigration” and Cornyn touting his record against “radical Islamic extremism.”
Less than 2% of Texans are Muslim, but political scientists said Islam has become a potent primary issue because both candidates are chasing MAGA voters and Trump’s approval; Trump endorsed Paxton a week before the runoff.
The rhetoric has spilled into policy fights over a planned East Plano Islamic Center development: Cornyn pushed for a federal civil-rights probe that ended without action, while Paxton continues multiple state lawsuits tied to alleged “Sharia law” concerns.
Muslim advocates and researchers said the campaign is intensifying a broader rise in Islamophobia in Texas, where officials have launched other anti-Muslim initiatives and studies show Republican attitudes toward Muslims have worsened since 2016.
Community leaders warned the runoff may end, but the political incentives behind the attacks will outlast the election and could deepen division, hate crimes and pressure on Muslim and pro-Palestinian organizing.
As political speech targets religious groups, what strategies are communities using to protect their civil rights?
When a faith's principles become a political weapon, what is the cost to community safety and social trust?
How does the narrative of a 'Christian nation' impact the lived experiences of religious minorities in America?
Texas’s Most Expensive Senate Runoff: Cornyn vs. Paxton, GOP Divisions, and the Surge of Anti-Muslim Politics
Overview
The May 26, 2026 Republican Senate runoff in Texas between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton was a fiercely contested and bitter intra-party battle, marking the most expensive primary runoff in history after an already record-breaking primary. With over $125 million spent, the race exposed deep divisions within the Republican Party and became a critical indicator of its future direction. The outcome holds major implications for national Senate control, as the winner faces a highly competitive general election. This runoff not only shaped Texas politics but also highlighted the intense internal struggles and high stakes for both state and national leadership.