Texas AG Paxton mulls primary challenge to Sen. Cornyn in 2026

Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton has expressed interest in pursuing a 2026 primary challenge against Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn.

"Everything's on the table for me... I think it's time somebody needs to step up and run against this guy that will do the job and do it the right way and represent us and worry about what's going on at the border," Paxton told Tucker Carlson in an interview published Wednesday.

Cornyn won election to the Senate in 2002 and will face reelection in 2026. He is generally regarding as one of the most moderate members of the Republican conference. Paxton, meanwhile, has positioned himself as a conservative firebrand.

Paxton insisted his openness to challenging Cornyn stemmed from his lengthy time in Washington and Paxton's perception that the senator had accomplished little in that period.

"To me, he's been in Washington too long. He's been there, what, for 14 years or so? And I can't think of a single thing he's accomplished for our state or even for the country," he said.

The Texas Senate recently acquitted Paxton in a high-profile impeachment trial, allowing him to resume his duties after a lengthy period of leave, which began in May. He faced accusations that he used his office to inappropriately aid a donor, retaliated against whistleblowers, and worked to cover up his alleged misdeeds.

He was first elected to the post in 2014 and has been twice re-elected in 2018 and 2022.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.