Paxton defeats Cornyn in Texas Senate GOP runoff

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary runoff Tuesday, CBS News projected.

The contest was the most expensive Senate primary on record. AdImpact reported that spending on advertising in the March primary and Tuesday runoff topped $120 million.

Cornyn led the March primary but fell short of a majority. Paxton, who had long backed President Trump, received the president's endorsement six days before the runoff vote. Trump had stayed out of the race earlier, including at a March rally in Texas.

Cornyn, first elected in 2002, served as Senate Republican whip and chair of the party's fundraising arm. Paxton was first elected attorney general in 2014 and filed a lawsuit challenging Joe Biden's 2020 win in four states.

Paxton has faced legal issues. He was indicted on securities fraud charges in 2015 that were later dropped under a pretrial diversion agreement. The Texas House impeached him in 2023 on bribery and dereliction charges; the state Senate acquitted him.

No Democrat has won statewide office in Texas since 1994, making Paxton the favorite in November.

In the 18th Congressional District, Rep. Christian Menefee defeated Rep. Al Green in the Democratic runoff, CBS News projected. The district is heavily Democratic.

In the 35th Congressional District, Johnny Garcia is projected to win the Democratic nomination over Maureen Galindo. House Democrats and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee backed Garcia after Galindo drew criticism for past statements.

Former Rep. Colin Allred is projected to defeat Rep. Julie Johnson in the Democratic primary for the 33rd Congressional District.

State Sen. Mayes Middleton is projected to win the Republican nomination for attorney general over Rep. Chip Roy. State Sen. Nathan Johnson is projected to win the Democratic nomination over former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski.

In the race for Texas railroad commissioner, Chairman Jim Wright faces a runoff challenge from Bo French.