John Cornyn Escalates Attacks on Ken Paxton in High-Stakes Texas Senate Primary Battle

Sen. John Cornyn is mounting an aggressive campaign to defend his long-held Texas Senate seat, escalating attacks against Attorney General Ken Paxton in one of the most closely watched Republican primaries in the country.

After more than two decades in the Senate, Cornyn is shifting strategy, presenting himself as a strong ally of President Donald Trump while pouring millions into advertisements targeting Paxton’s character and record. The campaign has grown increasingly personal, with Cornyn signaling that he plans to intensify his attacks if the race moves to a runoff.

Despite the spending blitz, early polling suggests Paxton remains a formidable challenger. The three-way Republican primary, which also includes Rep. Wesley Hunt, is widely expected to head to a runoff between the top two candidates — a contest that could dramatically increase campaign costs, potentially reaching hundreds of millions of dollars.

Cornyn’s bipartisan record has become a central point of criticism from his opponents, particularly his role in helping pass a federal gun-safety law following the 2022 Uvalde school shooting. Rivals argue the legislation conflicts with conservative priorities, while Cornyn maintains it protects public safety without restricting lawful gun ownership.

Another major dynamic shaping the race is President Trump’s decision to remain neutral, despite lobbying from both camps for an endorsement. Republican leaders in Washington have privately warned that nominating Paxton could force the party to spend heavily to defend the seat in the general election.

If the contest advances to a runoff, Cornyn plans to focus heavily on questions of character and electability — framing the race as critical not only for Texas but for maintaining Republican control of the Senate.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.