Texas Republican Paxton steps up his Senate bid against GOP Sen. Cornyn ahead of early voting

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton held his first campaign rally Monday night in Texas, marking a significant escalation of his Senate bid against incumbent GOP Senator John Cornyn as early voting approaches, ten months after initially announcing his candidacy. The event, which drew applause from supporters, signals Paxton's serious challenge to Cornyn in the upcoming Republican primary. As the state's top law enforcement official, Paxton brings significant political capital to the race despite facing ongoing legal challenges. The timing of this rally is crucial as Texas prepares for early voting, which could give Paxton momentum in his quest to unseat the long-serving senator. Cornyn, first elected to the Senate in 2002, has established himself as a moderate voice in the Republican party, which contrasts with Paxton's more conservative stance. The Senate race in Texas has garnered national attention as it represents one of the few competitive Republican primaries this election cycle, with implications for the balance of power in Washington.