Texans Participate in Pivotal Primary Runoff Election
On Tuesday, Texans headed to the polls for a primary runoff election that has significant implications for the political landscape in Texas and Washington for years to come.
The marquee matchup features incumbent Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) facing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-Texas), both vying for the opportunity to challenge Democratic candidate James Talarico this November. Notably, Talarico has recently garnered endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
In the earlier primary held on March 3, Cornyn outspent Paxton significantly, a staggering amount that made this contest the most expensive primary in U.S. history. Cornyn and his supporters poured over $100 million into the campaign, while Paxton’s team spent around $4 to $6 million.
Despite this considerable financial backing, Cornyn found himself just eight points shy of the crucial 50% threshold, which was a bit of a humiliation for the seasoned senator, who previously held the position of second-ranking Republican in the Senate. He did, however, manage to secure about 1.5% more votes than Paxton, while Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) received roughly 13% of the primary votes.
Interestingly, Trump did not issue an endorsement for Cornyn during the primary. However, shortly after the vote counting started, he expressed his support for the runoff on Truth Social and suggested that candidates without backing should step aside to avoid unnecessary expenditures.
There’s a prevailing belief in Washington that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) influenced Trump, arguing that Cornyn’s low vote count was a reason to back the establishment-friendly candidate.
Just when it seemed Cornyn had the upper hand, Paxton surprised many with a strategic move. He announced that he might consider withdrawing from the race if Cornyn could successfully pass the SAVE America Act in the Senate. This bill is favored by Trump and has considerable backing from both Republicans and independent voters, though it has faced hurdles in the Republican-dominated Senate.
The grassroots support for the MAGA movement has surged in Texas and beyond, and it became evident that the anticipated backing from Trump wasn’t materializing—until about 75 days later.
Recent polls indicated that Paxton was pulling ahead of Cornyn, and on May 19, Trump officially endorsed him. This came as a shock to many in Washington, particularly since Trump had only hours earlier signaled support for the presidential race when asked by a journalist.
The political establishment had hoped that Cornyn would still pull through, but things took a turn. Republican senators expressed their frustration during a Capitol meeting shortly after the endorsement, and they decided to halt advancement on Trump’s border funding plans, opting for an early break instead.
In response to inquiries about the implications of Trump’s endorsement—especially regarding both existing GOP senators and potential challengers in the 2028 primary—Vice President J.D. Vance clarified that this endorsement was a clear message intended for Republicans who had not stood by Trump during critical moments.
“I’ve known John Cornyn for a long time, and unfortunately, Ken Paxton was there for the country and for the president when it really mattered. That’s why he ended up with the president’s support,” Vance stated, noting a growing presence of new talent in the Republican Party since Trump’s leadership began. He expressed that serving constituents is key, and failure to do so could put politicians at odds with both their voters and the president.
While some disgruntled Republican senators may attempt to block Trump’s initiatives through the remainder of the year, Paxton’s victory could set the stage for a transformational shift in the Senate. The changing dynamics may lead some senators to align with a Trump-supported opponent rather than jeopardize their positions in upcoming elections.
Trump’s support for Paxton signifies a show of presidential influence that has evolved over his second term. However, in Texas, the unpredictability of the outcomes always looms.
Alongside the Senate race, several House primary runoff elections in Texas were drawing attention as well. New district boundaries have altered the political landscape, affecting the competitive chances for Democrats.
Democratic Representatives Al Green and Christian Menefee are set to go head-to-head after a tight primary, while former Representative Colin Allred is facing off against Representative Julie Johnson after withdrawing from the Senate race.
Polling across most areas of the state will close at 8 p.m. ET, with voting in the El Paso region concluding at 9 p.m. ET.
The situation remains fluid, with further updates expected throughout the evening.
Latest Update at 9 PM ET: Voting has officially closed statewide, with El Paso results anticipated shortly. Paxton is currently leading with 62.5% of the vote.
As predictions loom, the anticipation for what this race will bring is palpable.
Latest Update at 8:55 PM ET: While the NRSC hasn’t explicitly mentioned Paxton, their statement—issued by a regional representative—will likely lead to questions about the considerable funds spent on losing candidates.
Latest Update at 8:49 PM ET: Cornyn continually claimed that Paxton was unelectable, a notion echoed by Thune and the NRSC, even as they justified serious financial investments into Cornyn.
However, with many polls closing, Paxton’s eventual victory suggests a shift in thinking from the NRSC regarding his viability as a candidate.
“A state won by President Trump by nearly 14 points won’t elect James Talarico, a radical leftist,” tweeted the NRSC, asserting the unlikelihood of Talarico succeeding in Texas.
Latest Update at 8:40 PM ET: With approximately 52% of the projected votes cast, Paxton’s support appears to have increased, placing him firmly ahead with 63% while Cornyn sits at 37%.
Latest Update at 8:36 PM ET: How confident are influential figures in Washington about Paxton’s trajectory? Organizations like Club for Growth seem ready to solidify their support with advertisements attacking Talarico.
Latest Update at 8:31 PM ET: In the Democratic primary for the 18th Congressional District, Menefee seems poised to defeat Al Green, who is known for his long-standing calls for Trump’s impeachment.
Latest Update at 8:25 PM ET: With Paxton currently at 62.2% and Cornyn at 37.8%, it would be unprecedented for Paxton to defeat the incumbent senator in such a manner.
Latest Update at 8:20 PM ET: Early results suggest a robust lead for Paxton as he continues to gain traction across the board.
“In March, Paxton garnered 9,063 votes in Brazoria County, while Cornyn secured 8,684. Now, Paxton has increased his share significantly,” noted a political observer.
Latest Update at 8:12 PM ET: The Democratic primary in the 35th District is also worth watching, particularly with candidate Maureen Galindo in the spotlight amid controversy over social media comments.
Democrats have sought to distance themselves from Galindo, who is backed by a recently established PAC, as changing district boundaries have altered competitive dynamics.
