Particle.news
Download on the App Store
54 ARTICLES
·
1h ago

Texas Holds High‑Stakes GOP Runoffs as Trump Backs Paxton

The late presidential endorsement shifted polls toward Paxton and raised Republican concerns that his nomination could make the November Senate contest more competitive.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, listens to State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, during a campaign event in Lubbock, Texas, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Annie Rice)
Candidate signs line the entrance to the Oak Lawn Branch Library polling location as voters cast ballots in local and primary runoff elections Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Gabriela Passos)
U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) attends a campaign event for re-election in Schertz, Texas, U.S. March 2, 2026. REUTERS/Joel Angel Juarez
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) speaks to reporters after passage of a Department of Homeland Security funding bill on April 30, 2026, at the US Capitol.

Overview

  • Texas held its scheduled primary runoffs Tuesday, May 26, with the marquee Republican U.S. Senate contest between Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton deciding the GOP nominee to face Democrat James Talarico in November.
  • President Trump issued a last‑minute endorsement for Paxton during early voting, and several polls and prediction markets moved in Paxton’s favor in the days before the runoff.
  • Early voting totals for the runoff trailed the March primary, with about 829,000 Republican early ballots reported compared with roughly 1.3 million in March, a gap that analysts say can benefit the more motivated MAGA and hard‑right electorate.
  • The Cornyn‑Paxton fight produced unusually large spending and negative ads, with AdImpact tracking roughly $100 million in the primary and about $25 million in the runoff, and attacks focused on Paxton’s past impeachment, financial and whistleblower settlements and on Cornyn’s electability.
  • Multiple other consequential runoffs were decided the same day — including races to replace Paxton as attorney general, the Railroad Commission and several member‑on‑member House contests — outcomes that could force national parties to shift funds and reshape November battleground strategies.