Polling is underway in Texas for the Republican Senate primary runoff, where incumbent Senator John Cornyn faces a significant challenge from state Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has received a high-profile endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
This endorsement has shifted the dynamics of the race, with a recent Quantus Insights poll indicating Paxton leading Cornyn by 9.3 percentage points. The stakes are high, as the winner will compete against Democratic state legislator James Talarico in the November general election, which is anticipated to be one of the most expensive in the country.
Cornyn narrowly defeated Paxton in the March primary but did not secure enough votes to avoid a runoff, prompting a fierce battle characterized by personal attacks and allegations of ethical misconduct against Paxton. Trump's involvement reflects a broader strategy to eliminate GOP rivals, as seen in other recent primaries.
The outcome of this runoff could significantly impact the Republican Party's strategy and resources as they aim to maintain their Senate majority