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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

In Texas, a contentious Republican primary goes down to the wire

Paxton is leading Cornyn in polls despite controversies that have become part of the primary campaign.

In Texas, a contentious Republican primary goes down to the wire
Image · The Christian Science Monitor

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Outlet credibilityThe Christian Science Monitor82/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 10, 2026
tl;dr

Texas’s Republican Senate primary is nearing its March 3 vote, with polls showing Ken Paxton narrowly ahead of John Cornyn and Wesley Hunt also in the race. The article describes party divisions and the possibility of a May runoff.

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

Texas attorney general and Republican Senate candidate

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Wesley Hunt
R · TX-38

U.S. representative and Republican Senate candidate

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

Incumbent senator seeking the Republican nomination

Cornyn's version of this story ↗

State representative and Democratic Senate candidate

U.S. representative and Democratic Senate candidate

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President of the United States

Former president of the United States

John Thune
R · SD · SEN

U.S. senator and Senate majority leader

ALSO MENTIONED  Angela Paxton, Texas state senator; Jerry Fuller, Co-founder of a local conservative activist group; Tomas Mendoza, City council member in Justin, Texas

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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