Ken Paxton Defeats John Cornyn in Texas Republican Senate Primary Runoff

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has won the Republican Senate primary runoff, defeating incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn. The race was largely defined by Paxton's strong endorsement from former President Donald Trump, which proved decisive in mobilizing a segment of the Republican electorate. Cornyn, a four-term senator and establishment conservative, faced challenges in connecting with the Trump-influenced base of the party. His past criticisms of Trump and support for bipartisan gun legislation after the Uvalde shooting were highlighted by Paxton's campaign. The results, projected by major news outlets, mark the first time a Republican senator from Texas has lost their party's nomination for re-election. Cornyn acknowledged his defeat and stated his intention to support the Republican ticket.