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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

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

Talarico is Paxton’s prospective general-election opponent and the target of attacks from Trump and Republican surrogates.

Republicans race to back Ken Paxton as runoff sets up closely-watched US Senate battle in Texas
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This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
May 27, 2026
tl;dr

Ken Paxton’s Texas Republican primary victory over John Cornyn prompted party leaders to rally behind him, while some Republicans worry his legal troubles could hurt his November race against Democrat James Talarico.

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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.

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Democratic Senate candidate facing Paxton in the general election

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 who issued a joint statement

Bernie Moreno
R · OH · SEN

Ohio senator who called for 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 endorsed 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 issued a statement about Democrats’ prospects

Ted Cruz
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator who endorsed Paxton

John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

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 criticized 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.

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