By NADIA LATHAN, Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is running for the U.S. Senate in a primary challenge against Republican Sen. John Cornyn, setting up what is likely to become one of the GOP’s most contentious and expensive contests of 2026.

Paxton, a close ally of President Donald Trump, announced his decision Tuesday in an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham after spending more than a year openly flirting with a Senate challenge. During that time, Paxton has sought to position himself as a national leader among the GOP’s ascendant hard right, launching some of the first criminal investigations in the U.S. over abortions and gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

Originally Published: <time datetime="2025-04-08 20:08:43">April 8, 2025 at 8:08 PM EDT</time>

It will be one of the country’s most contentious 2026 primary contests.{ai:summary}Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, challenging Republican Sen. John Cornyn in a primary expected to be highly contentious and costly. Paxton, a Trump ally, has positioned himself as a leader among the GOP's hard right.His campaign follows a year of speculation and includes a focus on issues such as criminal investigations into abortions and gender-affirming care for transgender youth. #politics

Texas AG Ken Paxton launches Senate primary challenge against Republican Sen. John Cornyn

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