Texas Republicans are closing ranks behind Attorney General Ken Paxton as he heads into a runoff against four-term Senator John Cornyn, according to Washington Examiner congressional reporter Lauren Green. The move signals a hard turn away from the party establishment despite internal GOP opposition that surfaced during the primary.
Green told viewers that Republicans will “rally” around Paxton to prevent Democrat James Talarico from claiming the Senate seat. The dynamic puts establishment Republicans in an awkward position—some campaigned against Paxton in the initial primary race, but now face a choice between their party’s controversial nominee and handing a Texas Senate seat to Democrats.
Paxton, who survived an impeachment attempt in 2023 and faces ongoing legal scrutiny, has built a national profile by challenging federal overreach and filing high-profile lawsuits against the Biden administration. That record resonates with GOP primary voters, even as it makes some party leaders uncomfortable.
Cornyn, who has served in the Senate since 2002, represents the traditional Republican guard in Texas. His long tenure and moderate positioning on certain issues made him vulnerable in a primary that tested whether Texas Republicans want continuity or confrontation.
The June runoff will test whether conservative voters reward Paxton’s combative approach or stick with Cornyn’s experience. Talarico, the Democratic candidate, has positioned himself as a fresh alternative to what he calls Republican extremism, though Democrats face steep odds in a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat to statewide office since 1994.
Party unity matters more in runoffs, where turnout typically drops and motivated bases can swing outcomes. Green’s assessment suggests Republican leaders have calculated that whatever reservations they harbor about Paxton matter less than keeping the seat in Republican hands.
The race carries implications beyond Texas. Senate Republicans can’t afford to lose safe seats if they want to maintain or expand their majority. A Paxton loss would hand Democrats an unexpected pickup in a state they’ve spent millions trying to flip in recent cycles.
Voters head to the polls for the runoff election in early June. The winner will serve a six-year term beginning in January 2027.
Key Points
- Texas Republicans are rallying behind Ken Paxton in his Senate runoff against John Cornyn, setting aside primary-season opposition
- Party leaders view blocking Democrat James Talarico as more important than internal concerns about Paxton’s controversies
- The June runoff will determine whether Texas Republicans choose Paxton’s confrontational style or Cornyn’s establishment experience
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/congressional/4584542/republicans-will-rally-around-paxton-lauren-green/ – May 27, 2026
