Paxton Challenges Cornyn in Heated Texas Senate Primary
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is intensifying his campaign to unseat incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the upcoming Republican primary, setting the stage for a contentious battle for the Senate seat. A key event in this race will be a debate featuring candidates for Texas Attorney General, hosted by the Republican Attorneys General Association on February 17th.
Paxton Announces Senate Bid
In April 2025, Ken Paxton announced his intention to challenge John Cornyn for his Senate seat, after serving three consecutive four-year terms as Attorney General . This decision has created a highly competitive primary race, attracting attention from both sides of the political spectrum.
Crowded Attorney General Race
Paxton’s decision to run for Senate has also triggered a crowded and combative race for the position of Texas Attorney General. The Republican field includes multiple candidates vying for the opportunity to succeed Paxton. On the Democratic side, former FBI agent Tony Box, former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski, and State Sen. Nathan Johnson are competing for their party’s nomination .
GOP Attorney General Debate
The Republican Attorneys General Association will host a debate featuring the four Republican candidates for Texas Attorney General on Tuesday, February 17th, at 7 p.m. At the Granada Theater in Dallas. The debate will be hosted by Allie Beth Stuckey, host of Blaze Media’s “Relatable” podcast. The event will be live-streamed on KHOU 11+ .
Paxton and Cornyn Clash
The primary contest between Paxton and Cornyn has been marked by increasing tension. Paxton has attacked Cornyn for being insufficiently aligned with former President Donald Trump . Cornyn has criticized Paxton for allegedly abusing his office, and accused him of using his position as Attorney General for political gain . In January 2026, Paxton released a legal opinion criticizing decades-old guidance issued by Cornyn, claiming that initiatives aimed at offsetting historical discrimination were unconstitutional .
Early Voting
Early voting for the March 3 primary election begins on Tuesday, February 17th, the same day as the Attorney General debate.