Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, known for his strong ties to former President Donald Trump, addressed Republican Party members in Denton County on Monday night, announcing plans to purge several Republicans from the Texas GOP for not adhering to conservative principles.
Among those targeted is Texas’ senior U.S. Senator John Cornyn, a prominent figure within the Senate GOP. Paxton stated, “The second thing we need to do, and I might play a role in this, is replace John Cornyn in the U.S. Senate,” which elicited loud applause from the audience.
Paxton, who previously collaborated with the Trump administration to secure a court order halting the Biden administration’s sale of border wall materials, has hinted at a potential Senate run to replace Cornyn in the future. “I can’t think of a single thing he’s accomplished for our state or even for the country,” Paxton remarked in a September 2023 interview on Fox News, underscoring his criticism of Cornyn’s effectiveness.
In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Paxton acknowledged the speculation around his political future, stating, “Despite loving what I’m doing, I’m looking potentially at the U.S. Senate.” He is currently engaging with various groups across Texas to assess interest in a possible 2026 Senate campaign.
Paxton has accused Cornyn of failing to represent the conservative values of Texans and has labeled him a “RINO,” a term commonly used by “America First” Republicans to criticize establishment figures within the GOP.
In a related political landscape, Pete Buttigieg is also considering a Senate run in a state that Trump won, showcasing the competitive nature of upcoming elections.
Sources close to Paxton revealed that he intends to spend the coming months meeting with voters, donors, and grassroots activists to gauge interest in his potential candidacy. Paxton’s political journey has not been without hurdles; he faced a primary challenge from George P. Bush in 2022 amidst allegations of bribery and corruption but ultimately prevailed. In 2023, he was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives but was acquitted by the state Senate.
On the other hand, Cornyn, who has served in the Senate since 2002, has expressed his commitment to running for re-election in 2026. He has held key leadership roles within the GOP, including chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and Senate majority whip. Recently, he announced his candidacy for Senate majority leader in 2024, although he lost to South Dakota Senator John Thune.
Cornyn has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s Cabinet picks and criticized Democrats for delaying confirmations of key positions. He stated, “Our first and most urgent task is to confirm President Trump’s nominees for his Cabinet.”
This brewing rivalry between Paxton and Cornyn suggests a potentially dramatic primary race in Texas, raising questions about Trump’s support. Political strategist Matt Mackowiak noted, “The big question is whether Trump would support Paxton over Cornyn in a primary challenge.” He emphasized that Cornyn has a significant base of support, having never lost a race and being well-known statewide.
Mackowiak further pointed out that if Paxton enters the race, it could become a “massive race with national consequences,” attracting significant attention and funding from national activists. He likened it to the impactful 2012 primary between Ted Cruz and David Dewhurst, which reshaped Texas politics.