Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton beat incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) by nine points in a poll released Wednesday, previewing the 2026 Senate race.
Paxton has attempted to portray himself as more in line with President Donald Trump, which could help him win the Republican primary in a state where Trump won 56.2% of the vote in the 2024 election.
Recommended Stories
- Who is Abigail Spanberger? Meet the Democratic candidate for Virginia governor
- Tuberville launches run for Alabama governor, forgoing Senate reelection
- Arizona Democrats on shaky ground ahead of 2026, with Katie Hobbs vulnerable
Polling conducted by Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center at Texas Southern University shows Paxton getting 43% of the vote and Cornyn getting 34%.
Paxton also scored a 68% favorability rating among voters, compared to 58% for Cornyn.
Trump has yet to weigh in on the Senate seat, but half of those polled said Trump’s endorsement could sway their decision, while 38% said it wouldn’t.
REPUBLICANS TURN TO 2025 GOVERNOR BATTLES AS PARTY LOOKS TO RIDE 2024 SUCCESS
Meanwhile, Democrats view the Texas Senate as an opportunity to flip the seat blue if the primary becomes particularly messy.
Former Democratic Rep. Colin Allred, who lost to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in 2024, has not announced a bid for the seat. Allred is just two points behind in a hypothetical match-up against Paxton. In a hypothetical match-up against Cornyn, he is behind by 4%.