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◆ Mixed look for TrumpElections / Campaigns

Cornyn tries to hold on to Texas Senate seat in runoff with Paxton, the latest test of Trump's power

Trump endorsed Paxton shortly before the runoff, a central factor in the article’s account of the race.

Cornyn tries to hold on to Texas Senate seat in runoff with Paxton, the latest test of Trump's power
Image · New Haven Register

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Outlet credibilityNew Haven Register85/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

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May 27, 2026
tl;dr

Ken Paxton defeated Sen. John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate runoff, winning the nomination after President Donald Trump endorsed him. The result also included several U.S. House primary runoffs in Texas.

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Donald Trump R · President of the United States
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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

Texas attorney general and Republican Senate candidate who won the runoff

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

Texas senator and Republican Senate candidate who lost the runoff

Cornyn's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate nominee in Texas

Representative and Democratic primary winner in Texas’ 18th District

Democratic candidate who lost the primary for Texas’ 35th District

Julie Johnson
D · TX-32

Representative who lost the Democratic primary runoff in the Dallas-area 33rd District

Al Green
D · TX-9

Representative who lost the Democratic primary in Texas’ 18th District

Democratic primary winner for Texas’ 35th District

Republican primary winner for Texas’ 35th District

Ted Cruz
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator mentioned as the opponent Allred lost to in a previous Senate race

Colin Z. Allred
Former U.S. Representative (D-TX)

Former representative and Democratic primary winner in the Dallas-area 33rd District

John Lujan
R · TX

Republican candidate who lost the primary for Texas’ 35th District

Part of a bigger story

48 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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