PLANO—Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated four-term U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in Tuesday’s Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate, ending Cornyn’s decades-long tenure in Washington.
As of publication, Paxton had secured more than 63 percent of the vote.
The race became one of the most expensive and closely watched Republican primaries in the country, fueled by months of attacks between the two candidates and tens of millions of dollars in outside spending. Paxton consistently framed the race as a fight between grassroots conservatives and the Republican establishment, while Cornyn emphasized his experience and seniority in the Senate.
Paxton also received a major boost in the closing days of the race when Donald Trump endorsed him last week, praising the attorney general as an “America First Patriot” and criticizing Cornyn for not fully backing him during key moments of Trump’s political career.
The endorsement came after months of speculation over whether Trump would weigh in on the race and was a devastating blow to Cornyn’s campaign at the beginning of the early voting period.
Speaking to supporters at his election night watch party, Paxton credited Trump’s endorsement with helping propel him to victory.
“When everyone in Washington told him to abandon me and abandon the people of Texas, he didn’t listen,” Paxton said. “Instead, he gave his complete and total endorsement. President Trump is the leader of our party, and his endorsement in this race is the most powerful force in politics.”
Paxton also framed the result as a rejection of Washington insiders.
“Today, change was on the ballot, and change won,” Paxton told supporters. “We just proved that this Senate seat doesn’t belong to Washington, it belongs to you.”
Despite the contentious race, Paxton thanked Cornyn during his remarks.
“I want to thank Senator Cornyn for his service to the state,” Paxton said. “John has dedicated much of his life to serving Texas. He worked diligently for years in all Texas, and for that spirit of service to the Lone Star State and our nation, I’m very grateful.”
Cornyn conceded the race during a small media event Tuesday night and said he would support the Republican ticket in November.
Paxton now advances to the General Election, where he will face Democrat James Talarico in November. During his victory speech, Paxton repeatedly attacked Talarico as an “extreme radical” and sought to tie him to national Democrats and progressive social policies.
The victory immediately prompted calls for Republicans to unify ahead of the General Election.
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement congratulating Republican nominees and urging the party to rally together heading into November.
“Tonight, Texans chose strong, conservative leaders who will fight to keep Texas safe, prosperous, and free,” Abbott said. “A united Republican Party will drive victory, and with the primaries complete, we are laser focused on delivering a decisive victory in November.”
The victory for Paxton comes nearly three years to the day after he was impeached by the Texas House. While then-Speaker Dade Phelan oversaw that effort, current Speaker Dustin Burrows struck a far different tone, congratulating Paxton and calling for Republicans to unite behind the party’s nominee.
“Congratulations to Ken Paxton on winning the Republican nomination for United States Senate,” Burrows wrote on X. “A steadfast conservative fighter for Texas, he has led the charge on securing the border, defending our constitutional freedoms, and advancing the conservative principles that have made Texas the strongest and most prosperous state in the nation.”
