Paxton Dominates CPAC As Texas Senate Runoff Nears
Paxton won CPAC endorsement and a 67% straw poll showing; he and Sen. John Cornyn head to a May 26 runoff, with Trump still undecided and the winner to face James Talarico in November.
Washington ExaminerKen Paxton surges at CPAC as Texas Senate runoff looms
FOX NewsCruz refuses to take sides between Cornyn, Paxton in high-stakes GOP Senate clash
Daily BeastTrump Mulls Backing Messiest Candidate Just to Please MAGA
ABC NewsCPAC activists embrace Paxton as MAGA's choice for Texas Senate over Cornyn
Overview
CPAC onstage announced it endorsed Ken Paxton after a Texas attendee straw poll showed 67% for Paxton, 21% for Sen. John Cornyn and 12% undecided.
Paxton headlined events, met supporters and emphasized election integrity and support for the SAVE Act as he vies with Cornyn in the May 26 Republican runoff.
Sen. Ted Cruz said he will stay neutral, while Cornyn advisers and the National Republican Senatorial Committee warned Paxton could be a weaker general-election nominee, advisers said.
Cornyn finished first in the March 3 primary but failed to reach a majority, producing a May 26 runoff and leaving Cornyn with a sizable fundraising and establishment advantage, campaign advisers said.
The May 26 runoff winner will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in November, and President Donald Trump promised on March 6 he would make a decision soon but has not yet publicly endorsed either candidate.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Paxton as the grassroots/MAGA insurgent against an absent establishment figure by foregrounding cheering, straw-poll results, and Paxton’s ties to Trump while noting Cornyn’s establishment support. The pieces emphasize spectacle (applause/boos) and Paxton’s impeachment-survival narrative, privileging activist voices over Cornyn’s absent presence.
FAQ
John Cornyn finished first in the March 3 Republican primary but did not reach a majority, leading to a May 26 runoff against Ken Paxton. The winner will face Democrat James Talarico in November.
CPAC endorsed Ken Paxton after a straw poll showed him with 67% support, Sen. John Cornyn at 21%, and 12% undecided.
President Donald Trump promised on March 6 to make a decision soon but has not publicly endorsed either candidate as of the latest reports.
Cornyn has a sizable fundraising and establishment advantage, including support from the National Republican Senatorial Committee, despite Paxton's CPAC momentum.
