Skip to main content
3 min read

Republicans race to back Ken Paxton as runoff sets up closely watched US Senate battle in Texas

Talarico is the Democrat Republicans targeted after Paxton won the primary.

Republicans race to back Ken Paxton as runoff sets up closely watched US Senate battle in Texas
Image · The Guardian

SOURCE CHECK

TAP FOR WHY
Outlet credibilityThe Guardian84/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
May 27, 2026
tl;dr

Ken Paxton’s Texas primary victory over Sen. John Cornyn prompted Republican leaders to rally behind him, while Democrats highlighted Paxton’s legal history and backed nominee James Talarico ahead of a closely watched general election.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Talarico in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Talarico’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

SWIPE →

Democratic Senate candidate and Paxton’s expected general-election opponent

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate who won the Texas primary

Paxton's version of this story ↗
Kirsten E. Gillibrand
D · NY · SEN

New York senator and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chair

Bernie Moreno
R · OH · SEN

Ohio senator who urged Republicans to unite behind Paxton

Brandon Gill
R · TX-26

Texas representative who criticized Talarico at a rally

John Barrasso
R · WY · SEN

Senate majority whip who supported Paxton

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Paxton and attacked Talarico

Tim Sheehy
R · MT · SEN

Montana senator who attacked Talarico

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate minority leader who commented on Paxton’s primary victory

Ted Cruz
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator who endorsed Paxton

John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Outgoing Texas senator defeated by Paxton in the Republican primary

ALSO MENTIONED  Greg Abbott, Texas governor who predicted Paxton would defeat Talarico; Kendall Scudder, Texas Democratic Party chair who criticized Paxton; Sarah Gonzales, Representative who made a remark about Talarico at a rally

Part of a bigger story

15 OUTLETS
Paxton Wins Texas GOP Senate Runoff, Setting Up Race Against Talarico

Ken Paxton won the Texas Republican Senate runoff over John Cornyn, setting up a general-election race with Democrat James Talarico. Left-leaning outlets frame Paxton’s nomination as a possible Republican liability and an opening for Talarico. Center outlets focus on Talarico’s chances and campaign strategy, alongside polling, coalition-building and post-runoff exchanges. Right-leaning outlets emphasize attacks on Talarico’s beliefs and campaign positions as political liabilities, and present Trump’s mockery as a boost for Paxton.

Discussion · 0

What's your take?

Loading comments…