Paxton Gunning For Cornyn In 2026?

[Elderberry]

Lawrence Person's BattleSwarm Blog

Compared to most states, Texas has seen a very little recent change in office-holders elected statewide:

•  Republican John Cornyn has been a Senator since December 2, 2002.

•  Republican Ted Cruz has been a Senator since January 3, 2013.

•  Republican Greg Abbott has been Governor since January 20, 2015.

•  Republican Dan Patrick has likewise been Lieutenant Governor since January 20, 2015.

•  Republican Ken Paxton has been Attorney General since January 5, 2015.

•  Republican Glenn Hegar has been Comptroller of Public Accounts since January 2, 2015.

•  Republican Dawn Buckingham has only been Land Commissioner since January 10, 2023, since previous Land Commissioner George P. Bush unsuccessfully tried to primary Paxton for Attorney General in 2022.

•  Republican Sid Miller has been Agriculture Commissioner since January 2, 2015.

The Railroad Commission and statewide court races haven’t been quite as static. Republican Jim Wright managed to successfully primary Ryan Sitton for his Railroad Commission spot in 2020, and some retirements and federal appointments have resulted in a bit more change in the Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals, but even there reelection has been the norm.

This year, however, the logjam at the top of the ticket finally seems to be breaking up. Hegar is stepping down to become A&M system chancellor, with Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick running to succeed him as Comptroller, along with former state senator Don Huffines. And now Paxton is saying that he might run for Cornyn’s senate seat in 2026.

Attorney General Ken Paxton is nearing a 2026 bid for U.S. Senate against Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), depending on if he can obtain $20 million in fundraising commitments in the next couple of months.

On a trip to Washington, D.C. during which he met with various parties, including the White House, Paxton interviewed with Punchbowl News to discuss the long-rumored 2026 bid.

More: https://www.battleswarmblog.com/?p=63675

[mountaineer]

Paxton responds to the Cornyn campaign's effort to paint their boy as a Trumpy kind of guy:

https://twitter.com/TeamCornyn/status/1904850821621162242

Attorney General Ken Paxton
@KenPaxtonTX
Are you delusional?  You've constantly turned your back on Texans and President Trump, including trying to stop his campaign in 2024 and saying his "time has passed him by."
Texans won't believe your lies or forget how you've consistently worked to undermine the President.
12:31 PM · Mar 26, 2025

[Elderberry]

Attorney General Ken Paxton
@KenPaxtonTX

It's official. I’m running for U.S. Senate to fight for President Trump’s agenda and take a sledgehammer to the D.C. establishment.

Together, let's send John Cornyn packing: http://KenPaxton.com

https://twitter.com/KenPaxtonTX/status/1909753107212365960

[Ghost Bear]

My only worry in this regard is that if Paxton wins in the primary against Cornyn and afterwards is elected to the Senate, we might wind up with some Bush toady in the state Attorney General office.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

My only worry in this regard is that if Paxton wins in the primary against Cornyn and afterwards is elected to the Senate, we might wind up with some Bush toady in the state Attorney General office.

You mean like the former Land Commissioner?

[Ghost Bear]

You mean like the former Land Commissioner?

Only thing worse than a toady is an actual member of the family. 

[jafo2010]

I think America has tired of the Bushes.  They carry a stink that has not worn off as yet.

And I like Paxton.  I had hoped Trump would pick him for AG.

Cornyn is a RINO much of the time, and hopefully, Paxton ends his time as US Senator.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

I think America has tired of the Bushes.  They carry a stink that has not worn off as yet.

And I like Paxton.  I had hoped Trump would pick him for AG.

Cornyn is a RINO much of the time, and hopefully, Paxton ends his time as US Senator.

I had advocated last time Cornyn ran that Ted Cruz should have primaried him and Ted's old seat would have a conservative appointed by Abbott.

[catfish1957]

I would have preferred Ronny Jackson instead of Paxton....   But Paxton vs.  Cornyn is a no brainer.

[Bigun]

I would have preferred Ronny Jackson instead of Paxton....   But Paxton vs.  Cornyn is a no brainer.

I couldn't bring myself to vote for Cornyn last time.

[catfish1957]

I couldn't bring myself to vote for Cornyn last time.

I know how we all feel about polls, but everyone I have seen in the past month has Paxton up 10-20%. 

[IsailedawayfromFR]

I know how we all feel about polls, but everyone I have seen in the past month has Paxton up 10-20%.

Don't believe it.  Cornyn has access to Thune's Senate RSC $ to prop him up.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Cruz came out today and said he would not be supporting Cornyn for reelection.

[Wingnut]

I heard Beto is going to run for cornyn's seat.  The Nacho rides again!

[mountaineer]

I heard Beto is going to run for cornyn's seat.  The Nacho rides again!

When will his wife get tired of supporting him while he dabbles in politics?

[240B]

Cornyn is a corrupt Leftist shill. Let him retire with his millions of millions ... and when he looks back at his life ... he is ashamed

[Wingnut]

When will his wife get tired of supporting him while he dabbles in politics?

His budding Pro Skate Board career didn't pan out so he 'Fell" back to a lucrative career in politics, lecturing, collecting unemployment and Go Fund Me accounts to tide him over.

[jafo2010]

Beto is perfect.  Despite a huge amount of money, Texas will not vote for the idiot.  He is an empty skate board.  But the money flooding in will take money away from other candidates in other states that might have a chance.  He is what, a three time loser?

And I like Paxton.  He has stood alone at times for what is right in Texas. 

[Wingnut]

Always remember that  Sen. John Cornyn stabbed gun owners in the back by being instrumental in the development of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

[GtHawk]

I heard Beto is going to run for cornyn's seat.  The Nacho rides again!

Has he been working on his skateboarding skills?