Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's decision to run for the U.S. Senate continues one of the most consistent streaks in Texas politics. Every Texas attorney general since 1972 has used the position as a springboard to higher office by either running for governor or the United States Senate.

Both candidates for the March 2026 primary come out swinging as the early jockeying for one of the top political prizes in Texas gets under way.

A supercharged U.S. Senate GOP primary in Texas between Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton is kicking off with personal attacks and expectations of a high-spending race in a year when Senate Republicans will be defending key seats and targeting others in 2026.