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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Cornyn and Paxton bury each other in negative ads as Senate GOP runoff enters final stretch

Paxton's campaign is attacking Cornyn while trying to overcome a large advertising-spending gap in the runoff.

Cornyn and Paxton bury each other in negative ads as Senate GOP runoff enters final stretch
Image · Texas Public Radio

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Outlet credibilityTexas Public Radio79/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

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Texas Tribune80/100 HIGH

58 stories · 78–81 · updated Oct 7, 2026

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Texas Public Radiocites Texas Tribune
May 14, 2026
tl;dr

John Cornyn and Ken Paxton are escalating negative advertising in the final stretch of the Texas Republican Senate runoff, with Cornyn-aligned groups spending substantially more. The article also describes the close polling, fundraising gap and potential implications for the November election.

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 competing in the runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Republican incumbent competing in the Senate runoff

Cornyn's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate nominee and fundraising comparison

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose possible endorsement is discussed

Republican strategist commenting on runoff advertising

Nancy Pelosi
D · CA-11

Former House Speaker shown in a Paxton campaign ad

Wesley Hunt
R · TX-38

Republican representative and former candidate in the Senate primary

Part of a bigger story

7 OUTLETS
Cornyn and Paxton Run Negative Ads in Texas Senate Runoff

John Cornyn and Ken Paxton are exchanging negative ads in the final stretch of the Texas Republican Senate runoff, with Paxton challenging incumbent Cornyn. Left-leaning outlets describe Paxton’s ads as a response to Cornyn’s better-funded campaign, including attacks on the incumbent’s record and positions. Center outlets likewise cover mutual attack ads, while also detailing the spending gap, polling and fundraising.

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