Key Facts

• Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, won against Senator John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary run-off.
• John Cornyn served 23 years in Congress, including 12 years in Senate Republican leadership.
• The primary campaign was the most expensive Senate primary in U.S. history.
• Paxton will compete against Democrat James Talarico in the November general election.
• If Democrats win this seat, it could help them control the U.S. Senate during President Trump’s final two years in office.
• Trump endorsed Paxton late in the race, criticizing Cornyn for being disloyal and out of touch with conservative voters.
• Cornyn was initially ahead in the March primary but did not gain the majority needed to avoid a run-off.
• Paxton is popular among Trump’s base in Texas and positioned himself as a more conservative alternative to Cornyn.