Cornyn criticized Paxton as 'self-centered' after race advanced to runoff
Neither candidate secured majority in initial primary, necessitating second round
Race highlights tensions between establishment and hardline conservatives in GOP
Outcome will significantly impact Republican chances in Senate
📖 Full Retelling
Republican Sen. John Cornyn blasted state Attorney General Ken Paxton as 'self-centered' on March 4, 2026, in Texas after the GOP Senate primary race advanced to a runoff between the two candidates. Neither candidate secured the necessary majority in the initial primary vote, forcing a second round of voting to determine who will represent the Republican party in the general election. The heated exchange between Cornyn and Paxton underscores the increasingly bitter battle for the Republican nomination in Texas, with Cornyn, a seasoned senator seeking his fourth term, positioning himself as a pragmatic conservative willing to work across the aisle, while Paxton has cultivated an image of a staunch conservative warrior fighting against the establishment. The runoff represents a critical moment for both candidates, with Paxton attempting to capitalize on anti-incumbent sentiment and Cornyn seeking to maintain his position in the Senate amidst rising challenges from within his own party.
🏷️ Themes
Republican party divisions, Incumbent vs. challenger dynamics, Texas politics
John Cornyn III ( KOR-nin; born February 2, 1952) is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator for Texas, a seat he has held since 2002. A member of the Republican Party, Cornyn chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee from 2009 to 2013.
Born in Houston, Cornyn i...
The two-round system (TRS or 2RS), sometimes called ballotage, top-two runoff, or two-round plurality, is a single-winner electoral system which aims to elect a member who has support of the majority of voters. The two-round system involves two rounds of choose-one voting, where the voter marks a si...
Warren Kenneth Paxton Jr. (born December 23, 1962) is an American politician and lawyer who has served as the attorney general of Texas since 2015. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served in the Texas Senate representing the eighth district and as a member of the Texas House of Repres...
news Alerts There are no new alerts at this time Search Facebook Twitter Email SMS Blue Sky Whatsapp Print Reddit Flipboard Pinterest Linkedin Latest Stories Iran war Politics U.S. News World Sports Shopping Tipline Business Health Culture Science Cornyn blasts 'self-centered' Paxton after Texas GOP Senate race advances to runoff March 4, 2026 02:06 Paxton says primary results show 'Texans want new leadership' 03:07 Texas Supreme Court blocks extended polling hours in Dallas County 03:06 Now Playing Cornyn blasts 'self-centered' Paxton after Texas GOP Senate race advances to runoff 02:06 UP NEXT Rep. Crockett: ‘We’re not gonna have election results tonight in my opinion’ 05:40 Cornyn, Paxton head to runoff in Texas Senate Republican primary 05:05 Dallas judge orders extended voting hours amid Texas polling site confusion 01:17 Rep. Menefee reacts to early Texas primary results 05:59 Michael Whatley thanks Trump for ‘unwavering support’ in victory speech 00:37 Michael Whatley to face Roy Cooper in North Carolina Senate race, NBC News projects 05:04 Kornacki breaks down the high-stakes Texas primary races 01:43 FBI searches Fulton County election hub 03:44 Eileen Higgins reflects on her historic win in Miami mayoral election 06:50 Democrat Eileen Higgins wins Miami mayor’s race, NBC News projects 06:43 Van Epps thanks Trump in speech after projected win 01:49 Republican Van Epps projected winner in Tennessee House special election 04:39 Newsom says Prop 50 passage sends ‘powerful message’ to Trump 10:36 'Turn the volume up': Mamdani challenges Trump during his victory speech 01:15 Full speech: Mamdani thanks supporters after projected New York City mayoral win 24:31 Zohran Mamdani: 'You have dared to reach for something greater' 01:52 Prop 50 redistricting measure projected to pass in California 03:50 NBC News NOW Cornyn blasts 'self-centered' Paxton after Texas GOP Senate race advances to runoff 02:06 Copied Republican Sen. John Cornyn spoke to supporters after learn...
