GRAPEVINE, Texas — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton secured an endorsement from the Conservative Political Action Conference on Saturday, March 28, 2026 (CDT), following strong support during the conference held on Friday, March 27, 2026, strengthening his campaign to unseat incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn in an increasingly competitive Republican runoff race.
Speaking at the conference, Paxton criticized Cornyn for not attending what he described as one of the largest grassroots political gatherings in Texas over the past year. He suggested the absence reflected broader concerns among conservative voters about Cornyn’s engagement with the party base.
Paxton also highlighted policy disagreements, including frustration over the Senate’s failure to pass the SAVE America Act, a proposal that would require proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration. Although Cornyn has recently expressed support for the measure, Paxton pointed to the legislative gridlock as an example of ineffective leadership in Washington.
In addition, Paxton referenced the partial government shutdown tied to funding disputes for the Department of Homeland Security. While the Senate approved a funding measure early Friday morning, the House rejected it after senators began a scheduled two-week recess, leaving the issue unresolved and underscoring divisions within Congress.
Positioning himself as a candidate more aligned with Texas voters, Paxton called for a shift away from what he described as Washington-centric leadership, arguing that the state needs stronger representation in the Senate.
The runoff election between Paxton and Cornyn is scheduled to follow early voting from Sunday, May 18, 2026, through Thursday, May 22, 2026. The voter registration deadline is set for Monday, April 27, 2026, according to election officials.
Cornyn’s campaign pushed back against Paxton’s claims, emphasizing the senator’s strong alignment with former President Donald Trump’s policy agenda. Senior campaign advisor Matt Mackowiak stated that Cornyn exceeded expectations in the primary and remains the Republican Party’s strongest candidate to secure additional congressional gains and advance legislative priorities.
With both campaigns intensifying their messaging, the Texas Senate race is shaping up as a closely watched contest that reflects broader divisions within the Republican Party ahead of the 2026 election cycle.
