Cornyn’s reelection campaign sparks questions on both party flanks as Dems chase ‘the ghost of a Blue Texas’
With longtime Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas announcing his re-election this past week, the expensive and potentially competitive 2026 Senate showdown in the nation’s second most populous state kicked into gear.
One of the big questions regarding the race is whether Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a major ally of President Donald Trump and a MAGA favorite, will primary challenge Cornyn. Additionally, there is speculation about whether the Democrats will once again invest tens of millions of dollars in an attempt to flip a Senate seat blue in traditionally red Texas.
“I’m looking at it and seriously considering it,” former Rep. Colin Allred said in an interview with the Dallas Morning News, when asked if he would run for Senate again. Allred, a former Baylor University football player and NFL linebacker who represented Texas’ 32nd Congressional District, was the Democratic challenger in the 2024 race against Sen. Ted Cruz.
Allred, who is expected to make a decision by this summer, was the latest Democrat to spend a significant amount of money in an effort to defeat a Republican incumbent in Texas. Despite raising nearly $93 million, Allred was unable to unseat Cruz, who won re-election by roughly nine points.
The 2018 battle between Cruz and former Rep. Beto O’Rourke garnered national attention, with O’Rourke raising an impressive $80 million and outpacing Cruz in fundraising. However, O’Rourke ultimately fell short, marking another failed attempt by Democrats to turn Texas blue.
Matt Mackowiak, a veteran Republican strategist, emphasized that Democrats in Texas have been chasing the idea of a blue Texas since at least 2006 but have yet to field an electable, mainstream, moderate, pro-business Democrat. He stated that money alone is not enough for Democrats to win in Texas.
Ed Espinoza, a Texas-based communications professional and political analyst, believes that 2026 is an important year for Texas Democrats to demonstrate their resilience and commitment to the fight. Despite recent setbacks in 2022 and 2024, Espinoza sees an opportunity for Democrats to show their strength in the upcoming election.
In conclusion, the 2026 Senate race in Texas is shaping up to be a closely watched and potentially expensive battle. With Cornyn seeking re-election, the possibility of a primary challenge from Ken Paxton, and speculation about Democratic investment in the race, all eyes will be on Texas as the campaign unfolds.
