Tensions Escalate in Texas GOP Senate Primary as Cornyn Trails Paxton in New Poll
The Republican primary race for U.S. Senate in Texas is heating up, with rising friction between Senator John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. A newly released poll from the Senate Leadership Fund Super PAC shows Paxton leading Cornyn by 16 points—56% to 40%. The survey has intensified speculation about the GOP field, especially as Houston-area Congressman Wesley Hunt considers entering the race. When Hunt’s name was included in the poll, Paxton’s lead narrowed to 44%, with Cornyn at 34% and Hunt capturing 19%.
The poll, conducted from April 27 to May 1, also gauged general election matchups. Cornyn held a six-point advantage over former Democratic Congressman Colin Allred, while Hunt led by one point. Paxton, however, trailed Allred by a single percentage point—raising concerns among GOP strategists about the general election viability of the embattled attorney general, whose name has been frequently associated with controversies like the Ken Paxton impeachment and questions around the Ken Paxton verdict.
Cornyn took to social media platform X to tout the poll results, suggesting Paxton’s lead was narrowing: “His lead is shrinking, and the battle has just begun! He must be getting nervous.” Paxton responded sharply: “Imagine being delusional enough to celebrate a poll showing you down 16 points after being in office for 40 years.” Cornyn fired back, pointing out that the poll also showed Paxton losing to a Democrat in November. Paxton retorted, “You said the same thing about President Trump—we saw how that went for you.”
Cornyn has expressed concerns that if Paxton wins the nomination, the GOP risks losing the seat in the general election. “The last thing we need to do is provide an opportunity for Democrats to get a beachhead in Texas,” Cornyn said. “That would be the end of Texas being red.”
As Congressman Hunt weighs a potential bid, he commented during a trip to New Hampshire, “If opportunities present themselves that would make it palatable for me to run, I would absolutely consider it.”
The Republican primary will take place in March. Democrats like Colin Allred and Beto O’Rourke have signaled interest in running, keeping the race in the national spotlight. Voters continue to raise questions like “What happened to Ken Paxton’s eye?”, “What religion is Ken Paxton?”, and “When is Ken Paxton up for reelection?”—showcasing the mix of political and personal scrutiny Paxton faces heading into this high-stakes contest.
