Trump-endorsed Paxton wins Texas primary run-off, ousting veteran senator

Republican Ken Paxton will face ‌Democrat James Talarico in a high-profile race that could help decide control of the US Senate in November

Texas Attorney General Ken ⁠Paxton ousted four-term US Senator John Cornyn on Tuesday, riding President Donald ⁠Trump’s endorsement to a run-off victory for the Republican Senate nomination, US media projected.

The race was called shortly after polls closed in Texas’ westernmost counties, which are in a separate time zone from most of the state.

“Thank you, Texas. Together, we just made history,” Paxton wrote on X. “Now, we must unite to defeat the most well-funded, radical Democrat in America.”

Paxton’s victory will force Cornyn into retirement early next year – and the Republican political establishment in Washington into embracing a candidate it has long opposed.

Cornyn, 74, was backed by Republican leadership in the fight of his political life against Paxton, a 63-year-old scandal-plagued attorney general who won Trump’s endorsement last week.

Paxton will face ‌Democratic state lawmaker James Talarico in a high-profile race that could help decide control of the Senate and may become one of the most expensive in US history.