Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton put up a website Tuesday evening announcing his candidacy for U.S. Senate in 2026, setting up what could prove to be a ferocious Republican primary challenge against four-term incumbent John Cornyn.
The website surfaced as the three-term top lawyer, who in 2023 survived impeachment in the state Legislature, made his plans known on Fox News during “The Ingraham Angle.”
Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at a news conference at the Price Daniel State Office Building on Friday May 26, 2023.
“I’m running for U.S. Senate to fight for President Trump’s agenda and take a sledgehammer to the D.C. establishment,” Paxton said in a statement. “John Cornyn has been in Washington for over two decades, and he has turned his back on President Trump and the America First agenda time after time.”
The Cornyn camp was quick with its response, saying “Ken Paxton is a fraud.”
“During his first term John Cornyn voted with President Trump more than 95% of current Senators, securing the votes for his biggest accomplishments as his Whip,” spokeswoman Natalie Yezbick said in an email to media. “Democrats are trying to destroy President Trump, and he and Texas need a battle-tested conservative who knows how to protect his agenda in the Senate and won’t be outsmarted by Chuck Schumer.”
Paxton, a former member of the Texas House and of the Senate, had been sending strong signals for more than a year that he was itching for a chance to challenge Cornyn. And he and Cornyn, himself a former Texas attorney general, have engaged in a social media war of words over many of the allegations that had led to Paxton’s impeachment.
More: Report: DOJ under Biden administration decided not to prosecute Texas AG Ken Paxton
Paxton’s revelation Tuesday comes less than two weeks after Cornyn on March 27 announced he would seek reelection. Cornyn’s announcement included a video of him paying homage to Trump, who has had a long alliance with Paxton.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Ken Paxton says he’s challenging US Sen. John Cornyn in GOP primary