Texas Republicans vote in Senate runoff between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton
The Facts
- Texas Republicans are holding a primary runoff Tuesday for the party's U.S. Senate nomination between Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton.
- The runoff was required because neither Cornyn nor Paxton received a majority in the March primary.
- President Donald Trump endorsed Paxton last week ahead of the runoff.
- The winner of the Republican runoff will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in the November general election.
- The contest has become a proxy fight within the Republican Party, with Cornyn backed by Senate Republican leadership and Paxton aligned with Trump.
- The race is among the most expensive Senate primaries in Texas, with reports describing ad spending in the tens of millions of dollars.
- Public polling cited by multiple outlets has shown Paxton leading Cornyn in the final days before the runoff.
- Republicans and national observers say the outcome matters beyond Texas because it could affect how competitive the November Senate race is and is being watched as a measure of Trump's influence in GOP primaries.
How left and right are reading this
- Both agree
- This runoff is bigger than a two-candidate contest: with Trump, Senate Republican leadership, and tens of millions in ad spending shaping the race, the result will signal Republican Party direction and help determine how competitive November looks against James Talarico.
- They split on
- Less a disagreement than a question of emphasis: how elite endorsements and massive spending are narrowing the field before the general election, versus how Republican voters are using the runoff to choose the party’s representation and test its direction.
Analytical frames for this storyTap to explore
Context
Why is there a runoff instead of a single primary winner?
Texas held a March primary, but neither Cornyn nor Paxton won more than 50% of the vote, which triggered a runoff between the top two candidates Aol,USA Today,New Yorker.
Why is this primary getting national attention?
The race is being watched as a test of Trump's sway in Republican primaries after he endorsed Paxton, while Cornyn has support from Senate GOP leaders and other establishment figures Reuters,Fox News,New Yorker. It also could shape the competitiveness of the November Senate race in Texas Reuters,Washington Post.
View all 93 sources
Wire services (17)
Independent coverage (50)
www.independentsentinel.comKen Paxton Is Predicted to Win in a Rout Today, Problems for...
NBC NewsTrump's oozing influence in the Texas primary runoffs and U....
YahooTrump pitches Paxton to Texas voters: 'He will never let you...
The GuardianTexas Senate runoff sees surge of anti-Muslim rhetoric in ca...
KUOW-FM (94.9, Seattle)Texas GOP voters vote in race that could shape future of the...
DNyuzBrutal GOP primary could leave red state's party in tatters:...
Houston ChronicleTrump endorsed Paxton. The two-party system is broken.
Straight Arrow NewsTexas voters to decide Cornyn-Paxton Senate fight after Trum...
Raw StoryBrutal GOP primary could leave red state's party in tatters:...
The GuardianCornyn fights to hold Texas Senate seat in runoff with Trump...
AolHere's what to watch for in the Texas primary runoff electio...
Lubbock Avalanche-JournalWhat to know as Texas votes in the Cornyn-Paxton Senate runo...
CBS NewsHere's what to watch for in the Texas primary runoff electio...
Yahoo News UK'True Maga warrior' takes on old-guard Texan in key test of ...
The Guardian'True Maga warrior' takes on old-guard Texan in key test of ...
The New YorkerTexas Senate Republican Primary Runoff: Live Results
Bloomberg BusinessTexas Voters Get Final Say After Trump Backs Paxton in Runof...
Houston ChronicleWill Ken Paxton unseat John Cornyn? Here's what to watch for...
DNyuzTexans go to the polls in Senate primary runoff that tests G...
MS NOWA Texas-sized warning to the GOP: Don't mess with Trump
Washington PostTexans go to the polls in Senate primary runoff that tests G...
NBC NewsJohn Cornyn's last stand and Democratic fights: What to watc...
Northwest Arkansas Democrat GazetteCampaigns flood Texas airwaves in GOP runoff | Northwest Ark...
KOSUTexas GOP voters vote in race that could shape future of the...
bpr.orgTexas GOP voters vote in race that could shape future of the...
POLITICOTrump's revenge tour heads to Texas
YahooRepublicans worry the Cornyn-Paxton fight is tearing their p...
POLITICORepublicans worry the Cornyn-Paxton fight is tearing their p...
YahooIn Paxton, Cornyn runoff, Texas Republicans face disappointm...
Fox NewsTrump flexes MAGA muscle in Texas Senate runoff clash betwee...
NewsweekJohn Cornyn vs. Trump-backed Ken Paxton: Final polls and odd...
Liberty NationPaxton v. Cornyn - Which Way MAGA?
YahooTrump places risky bet on Paxton over Cornyn in Texas Senate...
USA TodayTrump places risky bet on Paxton over Cornyn in Texas Senate...
Taegan Goddard's Political WireTrump's Revenge Tour Heads to Texas
HuffPostConservative Texas Voter Gets A Blunt Fact-Check From His Wi...
The Boston GlobeCornyn tries to hold on to Texas Senate seat in runoff with ...
BeritajaJohn Cornyn's Last Stand And Democratic Fights: What To Watc...
KPRCTexas runoff elections spotlight experience versus change in...
The Daily BeastTexas Wife Checks Husband On His Vote for Paxton
One America News NetworkTexas: Paxton and Cornyn facing off in Tues. Senate Primary,...
https://www.localnewslive.comGOP Senate candidates to face off in Texas runoff on Tuesday
100 Percent Fed UpSenator John Cornyn Warns President Trump Will Be Impeached ...
NewsweekKen Paxton's chances of beating John Cornyn on eve of Senate...
DNyuz'There is a consequence': Analyst warns GOP facing 'deflated...
Raw Story'There is a consequence': Analyst warns GOP facing 'deflated...
KXXVTexas Senate runoff: Paxton holds slim lead over Cornyn with...
FinanceFeedsCrypto PAC Spending Looms Over Texas Senate and House Runoff...
KXAN.comEarly voting numbers show largest turnout in Republican prim...
KRISJohn Cornyn, Ken Paxton battle for Texas GOP Senate nominati...
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