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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Here are the key races in Texas' May primary runoff election

Paxton is challenging Cornyn for the Republican Senate nomination after choosing to run for Senate instead of seeking reelection as attorney general.

Here are the key races in Texas' May primary runoff election
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This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
tl;dr

Texas’s May 26 primary runoffs will determine party nominees in several statewide and local contests, including a closely watched Republican U.S. Senate race between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton. Winners advance to November’s general election.

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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.

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Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate primary runoff candidate

PRIMARY SUBJECT
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Republican Senate primary runoff candidate

Cornyn's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate nominee who will face the runoff winner in November

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose political alignment is noted in descriptions of candidates

Chip Roy
R · TX-21

Republican candidate for Texas attorney general

ALSO MENTIONED  Bo French, Former Tarrant County GOP chair and Republican railroad commissioner candidate; Dan Patrick, Incumbent Republican lieutenant governor and November election opponent; Gina Hinojosa, Democratic gubernatorial nominee; Greg Abbott, Republican governor seeking another term; Jim Wright, Incumbent Republican railroad commissioner and runoff candidate; Joe Jaworski, Former Galveston mayor and Democratic candidate for Texas attorney general; Marcos Vélez, Labor organizer and Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor; Mayes Middleton, State senator and Republican candidate for Texas attorney general; Nathan Johnson, State senator and Democratic candidate for Texas attorney general; Vikki Goodwin, State representative and Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor

Part of a bigger story

6 OUTLETS
Ken Paxton Competes in Texas Republican Senate Primary Runoff

Outlets agree that Ken Paxton is challenging incumbent John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate primary runoff. Left-leaning outlets scrutinize Paxton’s political messaging and connect Republican divisions to a possible opening for Democrats. Center outlets focus on whether supporters of the losing candidate will back the eventual nominee, alongside a descriptive guide to runoff races. Right-leaning outlets focus on conservative backing and Paxton’s campaign prospects, with one urging his nomination and another examining donor support.

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