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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Texas Senate race shifts after Paxton defeats Cornyn

Cornyn lost the Republican runoff to Ken Paxton.

Texas Senate race shifts after Paxton defeats Cornyn
Image · ABC 22 - WJCL Savannah

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Outlet credibilityABC 22 - WJCL Savannah73/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
tl;dr

Ken Paxton defeated Sen. John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate runoff, setting up a race that could affect control of the Senate. The Cook Political Report downgraded the race from “likely Republican” to “lean Republican.”

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John Cornyn R · TX · SEN
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No good or bad look here

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

● INFORMATIONAL

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John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Incumbent senator defeated in the Republican runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate who won the Texas runoff

Paxton's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate nominee reaching out to voters who may be deterred by Paxton

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose endorsement is described as influential in the Republican runoff

Part of a bigger story

77 OUTLETS
Ken Paxton Wins Texas Republican Senate Runoff Over John Cornyn

Ken Paxton defeated incumbent John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate runoff, securing the GOP nomination after President Donald Trump endorsed him. Paxton is set to face Democrat James Talarico in November. Left-leaning outlets frame the result as part of a shift toward Trump-aligned conservatives, with some highlighting Paxton’s controversies; center outlets emphasize the outcome, Trump’s influence and the November race; right-leaning outlets often cast it as a victory for the MAGA base over the GOP establishment.

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