Ken Paxton

Republicans were confident about keeping the Senate. Now the battle is wide open

By Joey Cappelletti, Thomas Beaumont, Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press

Republicans appeared to have a firm grip on the majority at the start of the 2026 election cycle. But Democrats are now competing in states that once seemed well beyond their reach.

Trump's first major midterm money move: A $10 million Texas Senate ad blitz

By Josh Boak, Associated Press

This is the first significant spending in a premier general election contest by MAGA, Inc., and reflects how a once-safe Republican seat in Texas may be viable for Democrats with the candidacy of James Talarico.

Ken Paxton has survived years of scandals. Can James Talarico change that?

By Thomas Beaumont, Associated Press

Democrat James Talarico is challenging Republican Ken Paxton in a closely watched U.S. Senate race in Texas.

Ken Paxton's attorney in his impeachment trial endorses Democrat James Talarico in U.S. Senate race

By Jesse Bedayn, Associated Press

Dan Cogdell criticized Paxton for prioritizing loyalty to President Donald Trump over Texas families.

Amid controversial Senate campaigns, Paxton and Platner visit Washington to shore up support

By Joey Cappelletti, Thomas Beaumont, Bill Barrow, Associated Press

Control of the Senate is at stake, with both parties eager to secure victories.

Talarico targets Paxton's scandals in Texas Senate race, pivoting from his sunny primary message

By Thomas Beaumont, Associated Press, Jesse Bedayn, Associated Press/ Report for America

Texas Democrat James Talarico, a former middle school teacher and a state lawmaker from Austin, laid out a clear strategy for the months ahead: Litigating Paxton’s scandals to a weary electorate.

Paxton's win over Cornyn sets up high-stakes Texas clash with Talarico

By Geoff Bennett, Ali Schmitz

President Trump again proved his political power in Texas as his endorsed candidate in the Senate primary won in a landslide. Ken Paxton secured the GOP nomination, beating incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. Paxton will face Democratic nominee James Talarico in…

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Trump is getting the Republican candidates he wants, but can he win in the midterms?

By Bill Barrow, Steve Peoples, Associated Press

President Donald Trump's tightening grip on his party could make it harder to win in the November midterms, when Republicans face a broader electorate that has soured on the president's second term and the economy.

Cornyn went to great lengths to avoid Trump's wrath. The Texas senator lost his seat anyway

By Thomas Beaumont, Associated Press, Jesse Bedayn, Associated Press/ Report for America

Sen. John Cornyn tried for more than a year to show Donald Trump and Texas Republicans that he and the president were on the same team.

Live Results: Paxton dominates Cornyn in Texas midterm primary runoffs

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, easily defeating four-term Sen. John Cornyn in the latest contest where President Donald Trump sought to oust an incumbent he saw as insufficiently loyal.