Texas Senate runoff tests Cornyn reelection bid against Trump-backed Paxton

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Texas Senate runoff: Cornyn vs Paxton

Highlights

Cornyn faces a tight Texas Senate GOP runoff against Paxton, who surged after President Donald Trump endorsed him last week.
Senate Republicans view Cornyn as a safer, less costly general election candidate, but Paxton now leads by 9.3 points in a new Quantus Insights poll.
Campaign attacks center on Paxton's legal controversies—including impeachment and an ongoing securities fraud indictment—while Paxton brands Cornyn as a Washington insider.

Runoff battle reshapes Texas GOP race

As reported by CNBC, polls are open in Texas as Cornyn tries to hold off Paxton in a runoff that intensifies pressure on the incumbent after President Donald Trump endorsed the attorney general last week. The endorsement rattles Senate Republicans, who have committed significant resources to Cornyn's reelection effort.

Cornyn finished narrowly ahead of Paxton in the March primary but did not win enough support to avoid a second round. He also takes steps to repair a relationship with Trump that has been strained over the years, even as Paxton enters Election Day with momentum.

The race stands out as one of the most contentious Republican contests of the current campaign cycle. Cornyn's camp attacks Paxton over ethical and legal controversies, including his impeachment by the Texas House, later acquittal by the Senate, and an indictment for securities fraud, while Paxton portrays Cornyn as a longtime Washington establishment figure.

Senate stakes and general election implications

Republican leaders in Washington see the Texas runoff as important beyond the state because Cornyn remains a veteran senator with deep institutional support. He served as Senate Republican Whip from 2013 to 2019 and, despite losing a 2024 bid for the chamber's top Republican post to John Thune, still holds considerable standing among colleagues.

Many Senate Republicans believe Cornyn would be a stronger and less costly general election candidate against Talarico. But Paxton is the clear favorite heading into the vote after Trump's endorsement, and a Quantus Insights poll released on Monday shows him leading Cornyn by 9.3 percentage points on Election Day.

Our earlier coverage of the April state labor market snapshot showed unemployment rates were largely steady across the U.S., with the national rate holding at 4.3% while the District of Columbia had the highest rate (6.2%) and South Dakota the lowest (2.2%). The update also noted payroll employment rose in most states, underscoring uneven but broadly positive job growth that forms part of the backdrop as major political contests unfold at the state level.

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