Senator John Cornyn Defeated by Ken Paxton in Texas GOP Primary

Senator John Cornyn, a 24‑year incumbent from Texas, was defeated in a GOP primary runoff by state Attorney General Ken Paxton, ending his Senate career. Cornyn, who called Paxton “corrupt” and “unfit,” attributed his loss in part to the influence of former President Donald Trump and low voter turnout.

The defeat has intensified internal Republican tensions. Grassroots activist Scott Presler, a vocal supporter of Paxton, publicly clashed with Cornyn, calling the senator a “grifter” and sparking debate over the SAVE America Act, a legislation Presler argues could mobilize the GOP base. Cornyn’s subsequent interview with The New York Times highlighted his frustration with the party’s direction and the perceived dominance of Trump‑aligned candidates.

The episode underscores a broader rift between establishment Republicans, represented by Cornyn, and the more hard‑line, Trump‑inspired faction embodied by Paxton and his supporters, with implications for Texas politics ahead of the midterm elections.