2026 Election

John Cornyn’s Primary Problems Are Starting to Scare Republicans

Cornyn is down substantially to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in Texas Senate primary polls. But Republicans are concerned that Paxton could lose the Senate seat — or, at least, make Republicans spend a lot more money.

John Cornyn
Sen. John Cornyn is seen in the U.S. Capitol. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP

By Reese Gorman, Daniella Diaz and Ursula Perano

May 19, 2025 10:00 AM

With the GOP’s Texas Senate primary already getting nasty, many Republicans are nervous that Sen. John Cornyn can only beat Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton if President Donald Trump intervenes — and sources said that seems unlikely at the moment.

Several polls show Cornyn trailing. But the severity of the situation became clear last week when Cornyn touted a poll on X showing him down 16 points, reasoning that Paxton’s lead is “shrinking already.”

“He must be getting nervous,” Cornyn wrote.