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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

5 things to watch in the Texas primary elections: Blockbuster Senate, open attorney general seat, and competitive races on ballot

Paxton is challenging Cornyn for the Republican Senate nomination, and his candidacy has opened the attorney general’s seat.

5 things to watch in the Texas primary elections: Blockbuster Senate, open attorney general seat, and competitive races on ballot
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Outlet credibilityabc13 News78/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026

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Cites Texas Tribune

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Texas Tribune80/100 HIGH

82 stories · 79–81 · updated Oct 12, 2026

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abc13 Newscites Texas Tribune
Mar 3, 2026
tl;dr

Texas voters are choosing party nominees in closely watched Senate races, an open attorney general contest and other competitive primaries. The results will shape November matchups and signal the balance of influence among rival factions in state Republican politics.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Ken Paxton R · TX
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Paxton in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Paxton’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas and incumbent attorney general

PRIMARY SUBJECT
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas

Cornyn's version of this story ↗

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas

Talarico's version of this story ↗

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas

Crockett's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President of the United States

Republican candidate for Texas’s newly drawn congressional district

Chip Roy
R · TX-21

Republican candidate for Texas attorney general

Wesley Hunt
R · TX-38

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas

Republican candidate for Congress and former Harris County judge nominee

Republican candidate for Congress and Air Force veteran

Ted Cruz
R · TX · SEN

U.S. senator from Texas

John Lujan
R · TX

Republican candidate for Texas’s newly drawn San Antonio-area congressional district

ALSO MENTIONED  Aaron Reitz, Republican candidate for Texas attorney general and former Paxton deputy; Armin Mizani, Republican candidate for an open Texas House seat and Keller mayor; David McArthur, Republican candidate for the Texas House; Don Huffines, Republican candidate for Texas comptroller and former state senator; Fred Tate, Republican candidate for an open Texas House seat and business owner; Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas; Joan Huffman, Republican candidate for Texas attorney general and state senator; Joe Jaworski, Democratic candidate for Texas attorney general and former Galveston mayor; Kelly Hancock, Republican candidate for Texas comptroller and interim comptroller; Marc LaHood, Republican state representative running for reelection to the Texas House; Mayes Middleton, Republican candidate for Texas attorney general and state senator; Nate Sheets, Republican candidate for Texas agriculture commissioner; Nathan Johnson, Democratic candidate for Texas attorney general and state senator; Sid Miller, Texas agriculture commissioner and Republican candidate for reelection; Tony Box, Democratic candidate for Texas attorney general

Part of a bigger story

12 OUTLETS
Ken Paxton Challenges John Cornyn in Texas Senate Primary

The Texas Republican Senate primary featured Ken Paxton, John Cornyn and Wesley Hunt; accounts described Paxton as narrowly ahead in polls, with a runoff possible. Left-leaning outlets emphasize how a Paxton nomination could make the general-election race more competitive for Democrats. Center outlets mostly present the contest as a close Republican primary, stressing candidate appeal, party divisions and possible consequences for November.

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