Paxton Announces Run for Senate Writing on social media he plans to “take a sledgehammer to the D.C. establishment”

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has officially announced his candidacy to challenge U.S. Senator John Cornyn in the 2026 Republican primary, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown between two prominent figures in Texas politics. There had been a culmination of months of speculation, as Paxton has repeatedly hinted at his interest in unseating Cornyn, a four-term senator known for his establishment ties.

Appearing on Fox News host Laura Ingraham’s show, Paxton said it was “time for a change in Texas” as he announced his Senate bid and blasted Cornyn’s “lack of production” over his 22 years in the upper chamber.

“We have another great U.S. senator, Ted Cruz, and it's time we have another great senator that will actually stand up and fight for Republican values, fight for the values of the people of Texas, and also support Donald Trump in the areas that he's focused on in a very significant way,” Paxton said. “And that's what I plan on doing.”

The two politicians have a history of public spats, reflecting deeper tensions within the Texas GOP. Cornyn, a former Texas attorney general himself, has criticized Paxton’s legal troubles as an “embarrassment,” notably during Paxton’s 2022 reelection campaign and 2023 impeachment trial, where Cornyn expressed dismay over allegations of corruption. Paxton, a staunch Trump ally, has retaliated by branding Cornyn a “RINO” (Republican in Name Only), accusing him of betraying conservative values and undermining Trump’s agenda, particularly on issues like gun control and border security. Their past squabbles, including pointed social media exchanges—such as Cornyn’s quip, “Hard to run from prison, Ken,” and Paxton’s retort calling Cornyn “delusional”—underscore a bitter rivalry that promises to fuel one of the most contentious primaries in recent Texas history.

Cornyn has already responded to Paxton’s announcement