Primary Combat: PACs Pour Millions into Houston to “Hammer” Wesley Hunt

The race for the 2026 Texas Republican U.S. Senate primary has devolved into an expensive air-war, with Houston Representative Wesley Hunt emerging as a major threat to incumbent John Cornyn. As the March 3 primary approaches, the political survival of Texas’ senior senator may depend on whether his allies can successfully “nip the Hunt candidacy in the bud.”

While Attorney General Ken Paxton and Cornyn remain neck-and-neck at the top of the polls (both hovering around 27–30%), Hunt has established a firm foothold with 16–20% of the vote. His strategy is clear: knock Cornyn out of the top two spots and force a runoff against Paxton, where the more conservative electorate may favor a fresh face.

The PAC Attacks: “Texans for a Conservative Majority”

Cornyn’s allies in Washington and Texas are not taking the threat lightly. Texans for a Conservative Majority, a national super PAC backing the incumbent, has launched a massive spending spree aimed specifically at Hunt’s home turf in Houston.

• The Charge: The PAC recently dropped nearly $1 million on ads accusing Hunt of “abandoning” his constituents by missing House votes to campaign for the Senate.
• The “Backstabbing RINO” Campaign: A new, shadow-funded group called Conservative Texans PAC has begun airing “Backstabbing RINO” ads. These spots attempt to paint Hunt—a staunch ally of President Trump—as an establishment “moderate” in disguise.
• The Response: Hunt has leaned into the attacks, telling KTRH radio in Houston: “They’re scared because we’re clearly a threat to them.”

The Three-Way Deadlock (January/February 2026 Polls)

Recent polling from Emerson College and RealClearPolitics shows a highly fragmented GOP base, with 29% of voters still undecided just weeks before early voting begins.

Why a Runoff is “Almost Certain”

In Texas, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the primary vote to avoid a runoff. With three major candidates splitting the pie and a large chunk of undecided voters, political insiders predict a May 26 runoff.

• The Risk for Cornyn: History has shown that incumbents often struggle in runoffs, as the lower-turnout electorate tends to be more ideologically extreme and anti-establishment.
• The Democratic Side: While Republicans brawl, State Rep. James Talarico and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett are leading a high-dollar Democratic primary, with both candidates significantly outraising the individual campaign accounts of their Republican counterparts.

Election Calendar: 2026 Texas Primaries

• February 17, 2026: Early voting begins.
• March 3, 2026: Primary Election Day.
• May 26, 2026: Primary Runoff Election (if necessary).