Sen. John Cornyn Facing Challenges in 2026 Republican Senate Primary

Senator John Cornyn is currently lagging behind his two primary challengers in the upcoming 2026 Republican Senate primary in Texas. A recent poll indicates that he is in third place among Republican primary voters.

The poll, conducted by Stratus Intelligence on November 21-22 and reported by journalist Ben Jacobs, reveals significant support for both of his opponents. Attorney General Ken Paxton is leading with 36 percent, followed by U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt at 26 percent, while Cornyn sits at 25 percent. Interestingly, 14 percent of those surveyed remain undecided. The margin of error for this survey stands at plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.

Cornyn’s approval ratings have taken a hit. His favorability is at 35 percent, with 51 percent of voters viewing him unfavorably. Among those, 28 percent consider their opinion of him to be “very unfavorable.” This decline comes despite Cornyn having spent over $40 million on his campaign and advertising efforts this year; a memo associated with the poll indicates his situation has not improved.

The poll also highlights Cornyn’s vulnerability in potential head-to-head matchups. Paxton is 17 points ahead of Cornyn, while Hunt holds a 23-point advantage. Even in scenarios where support from former President Donald Trump is considered, Cornyn only narrowly leads Paxton 44% to 41%. Trump’s endorsement of Hunt has notably shifted the dynamics, placing Hunt ahead of Paxton 51% to 31%.

The findings arrive amidst ongoing criticism of Cornyn’s Senate record, particularly regarding stances perceived to deviate from conservative values. Gun rights advocates, such as Texas Gun Rights President Chris McNutt, oppose Cornyn for his role in the 2022 Bipartisan Safe Areas Act, which introduced gun control measures backed by the Biden administration. In a letter delivered to the White House, McNutt urged Trump not to support Cornyn, emphasizing that Texas gun owners will remember those who contributed to Biden’s policies.

Moreover, Cornyn’s position on immigration has come under scrutiny. His support for broadening the foreign worker visa program and past initiatives concerning the legal status of undocumented immigrants has drawn criticism from Paxton and Hunt, who argue these actions constitute amnesty. Cornyn’s team defended his record, asserting that he consistently voted alongside Trump and has not endorsed amnesty, highlighting his contributions toward bolstering state border security efforts.