Texas Republican Ken Paxton is stepping up his Senate bid against Cornyn

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will headline his first campaign rally Monday night in Texas, marking a significant escalation in his 10-month-old bid for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn. The rally represents a new phase in Paxton's Senate campaign, which has been relatively low-key since he announced his candidacy last year. As Texas Attorney General, Paxton has built a conservative profile through various legal challenges and positions that have resonated with the Republican base. His entry into the Senate race adds another competitive element to Texas politics, potentially creating a primary challenge to Cornyn, who has held the seat since 2002. Paxton's decision to step up his campaign efforts comes at a time when the Republican Party is navigating its post-Trump identity, with various factions vying for influence.