Key Trump ally to announce run against leading Republican in ‘next couple of months’

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton made waves at a Republican Party event in Denton County on Monday night when he listed several Republicans he plans to purge from the Texas GOP for not being conservative enough. Among those on his hit list was Texas’ senior U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a powerful member of the Senate GOP.

The crowd erupted into applause as Paxton declared, “The second thing we need to do, and I might play a role in this, is replace John Cornyn in the U.S. Senate.” The attorney general, a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, has been hinting at a potential run to unseat Cornyn.

In a recent interview, Paxton expressed his dissatisfaction with Cornyn, stating, “I can’t think of a single thing he’s accomplished for our state or even for the country.” He accused Cornyn of not representing conservative values and being a RINO (Republican in name only). Paxton’s criticism of Cornyn extends to his lack of support for Trump, further fueling his desire to challenge him in the 2026 Senate race.

While Paxton is considering a Senate run, Cornyn has made it clear that he intends to seek reelection in 2026. Having served in the Senate since 2002 and held key GOP leadership positions, Cornyn remains a prominent figure in the Republican Party. Despite facing challenges in the past, including impeachment proceedings in the Texas House of Representatives, Paxton has emerged victorious and continues to garner support from grassroots activists and donors.

The potential primary race between Paxton and Cornyn in Texas is anticipated to be a dramatic showdown. With both candidates holding significant support, the race could have national implications. The big question remains whether Trump would support Paxton over Cornyn, potentially causing a rift within the party.

Matt Mackowiak, a Republican strategist, believes that a primary challenge between Paxton and Cornyn could be one of the most significant statewide primaries in Texas in recent years. With national activists and funding likely to be involved, the race is expected to draw attention on a national scale.

As the political landscape in Texas heats up, all eyes will be on the potential showdown between Paxton and Cornyn in the 2026 Senate race. The outcome of this race could have far-reaching implications for the future of the Republican Party in Texas and beyond.