UPDATE: Paxton wins GOP nomination for US Senate, will face Talarico in November

Updated 9:05 p.m. May 26

Ken Paxton has secured the Republican nomination to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate, unofficial election results from 230 of Texas’ 254 counties show.

The Republican U.S. Senate contest between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Paxton, the state’s attorney general, was one of several statewide races on the May 26 runoff ballot after no candidate received a majority of the vote in the March primary.

Buoyed by an eleventh-hour endorsement from President Donald Trump, Paxton defeated his opponent with 63.38% of the vote to Cornyn’s 36.62%. Paxton will advance to the Nov. 3 midterm election alongside his Democratic opponent, state Rep. James Talarico of Austin.

The latest

Cornyn, who was seeking a fifth Senate term, conceded the race around 8:15 p.m May 26.

“I've always supported the Republican ticket, and I intend to do so again in the [November] election,” Cornyn told reporters at a press event in Austin. “I've said throughout this race that I trust the voters of Texas—they’ve made their decision, and I must respect it.”

Paxton began speaking to a crowd of supporters in Plano just after 8:30 p.m.

“Tonight, we just made history,” Paxton said. “The voters declared loud and clear a simple truth that we know in our hearts and in our souls: Texas is not for sale.”

In a nine-minute victory speech, Paxton also thanked Cornyn for his “service to the Lone Star State and our nation” and criticized his general election opponent, Talarico.

“James Talarico is a threat to everything we hold dear in this state and in this country,” Paxton said. “He can never become our senator, but I need your help—we know James Talarico is going to raise more money than any Democrat in America, so I need everyone watching to ... support this campaign.”

In a May 26 statement, the Lone Star Rising PAC, which has raised nearly $9 million for Talarico’s campaign, framed the U.S. Senate race between Paxton and Talarico as “faith versus fraud.”

“The matchup is now locked in: James Talarico, a leader grounded in faith and service, against Ken Paxton, an immoral politician shadowed by fraud, corruption, theft, and years of infidelity. Lone Star Rising PAC will make sure Texans know exactly what’s at stake.”

One more thing

Gov. Greg Abbott, who is running for reelection in November, urged Texans to back the Republican ticket after a bitter primary election season.

“Tonight, Texans chose strong, conservative leaders who will fight to keep Texas safe, prosperous and free,” Abbott said in a May 26 statement from his campaign arm. “A united Republican Party will drive victory, and with the primaries complete, we are laser focused on delivering a decisive victory in November.”

Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide to see results from all local and state runoffs in Community Impact’s coverage areas.

Updated 8:02 p.m. May 26

With 176 Texas counties reporting some election results, state Attorney General Ken Paxton held a steady lead over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican runoff for U.S. Senate.

Paxton, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump one week earlier, had 62.96% of the vote about one hour after the polls closed, while Cornyn had 37.04% of the vote.

Posted 7:36 p.m. May 26

Polls across Texas closed at 7 p.m. in the May 26 runoff election, ending a contentious, monthslong primary battle between Sen. John Cornyn and his Republican challenger, state Attorney General Ken Paxton. Cornyn and Paxton competed in the May 26 overtime round after no candidate secured enough votes to win an eight-way March primary outright.

The background

Cornyn, the incumbent, is fighting to add another six-year term to his nearly 24 years representing Texas in the U.S. Senate. Paxton, who survived an impeachment in 2023 and has spent more than 23 years in various state offices, aims to unseat Cornyn.

President Donald Trump endorsed Paxton in a social media post one week earlier.

Each candidate has emphasized their loyalty to and alignment with Trump in recent appeals to voters. Read their priorities, in their own words, here.

The winning Republican candidate will face the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate—state Rep. James Talarico of Austin—in the Nov. 3 midterm election.

Keep reading to see who is leading based on unofficial early results.

What’s happening

With 55 of Texas’ 254 counties reporting early voting results, Paxton took an initial lead over Cornyn. As of press time, Paxton had 57.98% of the early vote, and Cornyn had 42.02%.

Each state has two U.S. senators serving staggered six-year terms—Cornyn currently serves alongside Republican Ted Cruz.

What’s next

Community Impact will update this article as election day vote totals are released. All results are unofficial until canvassed.

Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide to see results from all local and state runoffs in your community.