Texas AG Ken Paxton Announces Bid for US Senate, Challenging Fellow Republican Sen. John Cornyn

Cornyn’s campaign quickly responded to Paxton’s Senate bid.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Tuesday that he will run for the U.S. Senate in the 2026 primary to challenge fellow Republican Sen. John Cornyn, who is currently serving his fourth term.

“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,” he stated on social media platform X. “Together, let’s send John Cornyn packing.”

Paxton has launched his Senate campaign website, where he described himself as “a loyal supporter” of President Donald Trump and “a staunch supporter of the America First movement.”

He pledged to support Trump’s legislative priorities in Washington, including reducing taxes, securing the border, ending the weaponization of the government, and “draining the Swamp.”

Cornyn’s campaign quickly responded to Paxton’s Senate bid, calling him “a fraud” and citing his impeachment trial. Cornyn, 73, was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 and has said he is planning to seek a fifth term.

“This will be a spirited campaign and we assure Texans they will have a real choice when this race is over,” the senator’s campaign team stated on social media.

Paxton was impeached by the Texas GOP-led House in 2023 for bribery allegations but was later acquitted on all 16 articles.

Trump has previously expressed support for both Paxton and Cornyn. Democrats have not won a Senate race in Texas since 1988.

This story will be updated.

Reuters contributed to this report.