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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

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

Paxton won the Republican Senate runoff and will face James Talarico in the general election.

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.

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 Senate candidate who won the Texas runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Senator defeated in the Republican Senate runoff

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

President who endorsed Paxton in the Republican runoff

Trump'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

40 OUTLETS
Ken Paxton Wins Republican Senate Runoff in Texas

Outlets agree Ken Paxton defeated incumbent John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate runoff, winning the party’s Senate nomination. They report he will face Democrat James Talarico in November. Left-leaning outlets focus on Paxton’s victory speech, including his remarks about transgender youth and the criticism they drew, while one warns Trump’s role could complicate Republicans’ efforts to hold the seat. Center outlets mostly report the result and November matchup, with some coverage examining the race’s competitiveness and scrutiny facing Paxton. Right-leaning outlets cast the win as a boost for Trump-aligned Republicans and a setback for the party establishment.

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