Ken Paxton is the Texas Attorney General who has served since 2015 (third term). A 62-year-old attorney, Paxton previously served in the Texas House (2003-2015) and Texas Senate before becoming attorney general. He is a longtime Trump ally who has made a national profile through high-profile lawsuits against the Biden administration. Paxton has survived multiple political and legal challenges including impeachment by the Texas House on corruption charges in 2023 (acquitted by the Texas Senate), a decade-long securities fraud indictment (settled in 2024), an ongoing FBI investigation into corruption allegations that was closed without prosecution, and allegations of extramarital affairs. Despite these scandals, he has maintained strong support among conservative Republican primary voters and Trump's base.
Ken Paxton is a Texas-based attorney who has built a career in Republican politics. He served in the Texas House (2003-2015) representing the McKinney area, then in the Texas Senate before becoming Attorney General in 2015. As AG, he earned a national profile through high-profile litigation against the Obama and Biden administrations. Paxton has been affiliated with various civic organizations in the Dallas-McKinney area including the Allen Chamber of Commerce, McKinney Rotary, and Stonebriar Community Church.
Strongest supporter of Trump agenda
Paxton frames himself as Trump's most loyal ally in Texas, having supported Trump's election fraud claims, defended Trump during impeachments, attended Trump's hush money trial, and made supporting Trump central to his Senate campaign. Claims to have sued Biden administration over 100 times
Voting History: As AG (not Senate voting record): Pursued Trump's election fraud claims, defended Trump policies
Opposed, criticizing Cornyn
Made opposition to Ukraine aid a key attack on Cornyn, arguing it represents unnecessary foreign entanglement and drain on resources
Voting History: As AG: took positions opposing Biden Ukraine aid policies
Strong Second Amendment absolutist
Attacked Cornyn for supporting bipartisan gun safety bill, labeling him 'anti-gun'
Voting History: As AG: has not pursued gun control measures
Hard-line enforcement advocate
Emphasis on physical barrier construction, aggressive enforcement, and Trump-style immigration policies
Voting History: As AG: has pursued immigration-related litigation
Paxton has not served in Congress, so there is no federal voting record. As Texas Attorney General, he has pursued conservative legal positions and high-profile litigation against Democratic administrations. His record includes defending Trump's election fraud claims, pursuing conservative causes, and suing the Biden administration repeatedly.
Paxton's social media presence is combative and attack-focused, with heavy use of anti-Cornyn messaging. He frames himself as a victim of politically motivated prosecution while simultaneously attacking Cornyn's credibility. His tone emphasizes grievance and fighting against establishment enemies.
'I'm running for U.S. Senate to fight for President Trump's agenda and take a sledgehammer to the D.C. establishment. Together, let's send John Cornyn packing.'
Campaign launch messaging emphasizing anti-establishment positioning
View post →Called Cornyn 'delusional' for claiming Trump support, citing Cornyn's past skepticism of Trump's electability and opposition to Trump border wall
Attack messaging positioning himself as Trump's true ally
View post →Posted screenshot of AP article announcing DOJ ended prosecution of Paxton, asking 'Care to comment now, John?' to Cornyn
Touting legal victory in response to Cornyn's attacks on his legal troubles
View post →Ran AI-generated deepfake of Cornyn dancing with Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett; ad was labeled as AI 'satire'
Attack ad using AI technology to mock Cornyn as friend of Democrats
View post →Paxton is a 'fraud' who talks tough on crime but lets progressive officials off the hook; his impeachment was not a sham despite his claims; he funnels taxpayer dollars to DEI lawyers; he uses fake Uber accounts to meet his girlfriend and deceive his family; his legal troubles prove he is unfit for office
Cornyn's entire primary strategy centers on Paxton's character and legal vulnerabilities, arguing he is 'unelectable' in general election and would drain hundreds of millions in GOP resources
Paxton is part of a corrupt system of GOP billionaires and puppet politicians
General election frame if Paxton wins the runoff
Paxton's nomination would put the Texas Senate seat at risk and require massive spending to salvage, money that could be used in more competitive states
Senate GOP leadership arguing to Trump that Cornyn is the safer nominee