Incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are headed to a May runoff election after neither candidate secured a majority in Tuesday’s Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas. The two advanced after surpassing U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt in a closely watched contest that drew significant attention statewide.
With 9:30 p.m. results reported Tuesday night, Cornyn led the field with 43 percent of the vote, followed closely by Paxton at 40 percent. Hunt trailed with approximately 13 percent, eliminating him from contention and setting the stage for a one-on-one runoff between the top two finishers. Under Texas election law, a candidate must receive more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff.
The primary campaign was marked by sharp exchanges among the three Republican contenders. Each candidate emphasized his conservative credentials while criticizing the records and conduct of his opponents. Policy differences, past political decisions, and personal controversies became recurring themes in campaign messaging and advertising. The tone of the race reflected broader divisions within the Texas Republican Party, particularly between establishment-aligned figures and candidates positioning themselves as outsiders or insurgents.
Cornyn, who has served in the Senate since 2002, leaned on his legislative experience and seniority, arguing that his tenure has delivered results for Texas. Paxton, serving as the state’s attorney general since 2015, highlighted his legal battles against federal policies and his alignment with conservative priorities. Hunt, a first-term congressman representing Texas’ 38th Congressional District, sought to present himself as a next-generation conservative voice but was unable to consolidate enough support to advance.
President Donald Trump did not issue an endorsement ahead of the primary, despite speculation that his backing could significantly influence the outcome. In previous remarks, Trump indicated that he held favorable views of all three candidates and suggested that the race remained fluid. His decision to withhold an endorsement before the primary leaves open the possibility that he could weigh in ahead of the runoff, potentially shaping the trajectory of the contest.
The runoff election is scheduled for May 26. The winner will secure the Republican nomination and advance to the November 2026 general election. On the Democratic side, voters will choose between state Rep. James Talarico and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who are also headed to a runoff. The eventual Republican and Democratic nominees will compete in what is expected to be a high-profile general election race.
Campaign finance reports filed during the eight-day pre-primary reporting period provide insight into the candidates’ financial positions entering the final stretch of the primary. Cornyn reported $1.1 million in receipts and $4.9 million in cash on hand, while spending roughly $2 million during the period from January 21 to February 23. Paxton reported raising $536,901 and disclosed $3.9 million in cash on hand, with expenditures exceeding $270,000. Hunt reported $170,912 in receipts and $342,306 in cash on hand, while spending nearly $600,000.
