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Paxton, Cornyn head to Texas GOP runoff after Wesley Hunt finishes third

Paxton advanced to a runoff against Cornyn and defended his candidacy as the campaign turns to the May contest.

Paxton, Cornyn head to Texas GOP runoff after Wesley Hunt finishes third
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Outlet credibilityFox News69/100 MEDIUM
This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026
Fox News
Mar 3, 2026
tl;dr

John Cornyn and Ken Paxton will face each other in a May runoff for the Texas Republican Senate nomination after neither topped 50% in the primary; Wesley Hunt finished third. The article also reports an unresolved Democratic primary and voting problems in parts of Texas.

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

SWIPE →
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate advancing to the Texas runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Republican Senate candidate advancing to the Texas runoff

Cornyn's version of this story ↗
Wesley Hunt
R · TX-38

Republican Senate candidate who finished third in the Texas primary

Hunt's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate candidate whose primary remained uncalled

Democratic Senate candidate whose primary remained uncalled

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who stayed neutral in the Republican primary

Mitch McConnell
R · KY · SEN

Senator referenced in a donor's description of the Republican contest

Former president referenced in Paxton's criticism

ALSO MENTIONED  Alex Latcham, Executive director of a super PAC supporting Cornyn; Charlie Kirk, Late conservative activist referenced in connection with a Paxton endorsement; Chris LaCivita, Republican strategist who consulted for a Cornyn-aligned super PAC; Dan Eberhart, Republican donor who supports Paxton; Joanna Rodriguez, NRSC communications director who commented on the Senate race; Tony Fabrizio, Pollster who helped the Cornyn campaign

Part of a bigger story

41 OUTLETS
Cornyn and Paxton Advance to Texas Senate Runoff

Outlets agree that Ken Paxton and John Cornyn advanced from the Texas Republican Senate primary to a runoff, leaving the nomination undecided. Left-leaning outlets connect Paxton to broader changes in conservative politics and highlight his refusal to leave the race despite Trump's potential intervention. Center outlets emphasize the runoff and uncertainty around Trump's endorsement, with some assessing Republican general-election stakes. Right-leaning outlets focus on Trump's pending choice and its potential effect on the contest, including party unity, campaign costs and competing campaign strategies.

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