Texas Senate Republican Primary Heads Into Final Stretch

The Texas Republican Senate primary is shaping up to be one of the most competitive races in the state's recent history, with incumbent Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) facing serious challenges from Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-TX) and Congressman Wesley Hunt (R-TX) ahead of Tuesday's vote.

Sen. Cornyn, first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002, has spent over three decades in elected office without a single loss. He helped shape the era of Republican dominance in Texas and has long held a place in the upper ranks of Senate leadership. However, reports emphasize he faces what many consider the toughest test of his political career.

AG Paxton, a prominent figure in the MAGA movement, has built his reputation through aggressive legal battles against Democratic administrations and by placing Texas at the center of national debates.

Recent Polling

Despite a series of ethics scandals, including an impeachment trial, he has maintained strong support among the conservative base. Recent Emerson College polling shows Paxton leading with 40% support, followed by Cornyn at 36%, and Hunt at 17%.

Cornyn leads among college-educated Republicans and voters over 70, while Paxton holds a commanding advantage with younger voters and those who backed Donald Trump in 2024.

Hunt's presence in the race is notable as analysts suggest his 17% could prevent either frontrunner from clearing the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff.

Candidate Criticism

The candidates have not held back in their criticism of one another. 

As the race approaches, the candidates have been putting the fire under each other. Hunt took direct aim at Cornyn on X, writing, "Radical Islam has NO place in Texas. I engaged it in combat. John Cornyn imports it into the country. Tuesday, choose wisely." 

Paxton was equally blunt: "John Cornyn is running again because he wants to push amnesty. After over forty years in office, he wants to spend another decade doing what he's always done: helping illegals. He must be fired."

Cornyn, for his part, raised concerns about Paxton's general election viability. "If Ken Paxton is the nominee, I think all of that is at risk, and not just the Senate race, but these down-ballot races, as well," he told CBS News.

The outcome on Tuesday will test whether Cornyn's decades of political experience can hold off a conservative base that increasingly favors outsiders over establishment incumbents.