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Trump-endorsed Paxton topples Cornyn in Texas | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Trump’s endorsement of Paxton is presented as a consequential factor in the Texas runoff.

Trump-endorsed Paxton topples Cornyn in Texas | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
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This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

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May 26, 2026
tl;dr

Ken Paxton won the Republican Senate runoff in Texas, defeating four-term Senator John Cornyn after receiving President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Paxton will face Democrat James Talarico in a race that could affect control of the Senate.

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37 VOTES
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Donald Trump R · President of the United States
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People in this story

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Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Paxton in the Republican runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate who won the Texas runoff

Paxton's version of this story ↗
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Senator defeated in the Republican Senate runoff

Cornyn's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate candidate who will face Paxton

Representative and former Senate candidate who lost the Democratic primary to Talarico

Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Representative mentioned as an incumbent defeated after Trump endorsed a primary challenger

Democratic House candidate in Texas’s 35th District

Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Senator mentioned as an incumbent defeated after Trump endorsed a primary challenger

Democratic House candidate in Texas’s 35th District

Republican House candidate in Texas’s 35th District

John Lujan
R · TX

State representative competing for the Republican nomination in Texas’s 35th District

ALSO MENTIONED  Javier Salazar, Bexar County sheriff mentioned in connection with Garcia’s public-information role

Part of a bigger story

16 OUTLETS
Ken Paxton Defeats John Cornyn in Texas Senate Runoff

Ken Paxton defeated incumbent John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate runoff, winning the party’s nomination. Trump had endorsed Paxton. Left-leaning outlets describe the win as accelerating the Texas GOP’s shift toward Trump-aligned conservatives. Center outlets mostly report the result and Trump’s role, though some coverage also places it within a broader party shift. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Trump’s influence and present Cornyn’s loss as a setback for the GOP establishment.

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