Trump Blames John Cornyn and Karl Rove for Potential Ken Paxton Texas Senate Loss
- Election Battleground: Recent polling indicates Democratic Representative James Talarico holds a lead in the low-to-mid single digits over Paxton in the traditionally Republican state.
- Campaign Spending: The Texas Senate race has become the most expensive of the 2026 cycle, with GOP-aligned groups spending over $370 million, exceeding Democratic spending by approximately $235 million.
- Internal GOP Conflict: Trump, who endorsed Paxton, publicly labeled Cornyn and Rove as "weak and ineffective political hacks" while criticizing their historical opposition to his own political career.
The Context & Background
Texas has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988, making the current competitiveness of the race a significant development in the 2026 midterm cycle. The contest follows a contentious Republican primary where Trump's support for Paxton effectively ousted the long-serving incumbent Senator John Cornyn.
The Big Picture:The outcome of the Texas Senate race will be a critical factor in determining which party secures majority control of the U.S. Senate. As the most expensive race of the cycle, the internal GOP friction highlights deep divisions within the party that could influence voter turnout and the broader success of Republican candidates in competitive battlegrounds.
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