Texas Senate Slugfest: Cornyn and Paxton Trade Blows as Primary Enters Final Month

The race for the Texas U.S. Senate seat escalated into a personal and political war on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, as incumbent Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton traded blistering accusations over campaign finances and personal scandals. With the March 3 primary just four weeks away, recent polling shows the two candidates in a dead heat, both hovering in the high 20s.

The latest social media exchange marks a new low in what has become the most expensive and vitriolic primary in modern Texas history.

The “Divorce” Salvo: Cornyn Attacks Paxton’s Character

Responding to Paxton’s accusations of “stealing” campaign funds, Senator Cornyn’s campaign took the unprecedented step of publicly highlighting the Attorney General’s high-profile divorce.

• The Accusation: Cornyn’s campaign account directly referenced Paxton’s alleged affair with author Angela Duhon, claiming he “cheated multiple times” and offered his wife “nothing” in divorce proceedings.
• The Context: Ken and Angela Paxton finalized their divorce in July 2025 after 38 years of marriage. Angela Paxton, a sitting State Senator, cited “recent discoveries” as the reason for the split, ending a long-standing political partnership that had survived Paxton’s 2023 impeachment trial.

The “NC, ME, MI, GA” Allegations: Paxton Attacks Cornyn’s War Chest

Paxton’s initial strike focused on Cornyn’s fundraising dominance, alleging the Senator is hoarding national Republican resources while other critical Senate races across the country are at risk.

• The Figure: Paxton claimed Cornyn has “stolen $50+ million” that should have been spent on GOP candidates in swing states like North Carolina and Georgia.
• The Data: While Paxton’s specific “theft” claim is rhetorical, FEC reports as of December 31, 2025, show Cornyn with a significant cash advantage:
  • Cornyn (R): $10.03M Raised | $5.86M Cash on Hand
  • Paxton (R): $5.32M Raised | $3.66M Cash on Hand
  • Wesley Hunt (R): $1.37M Raised | $1.51M Cash on Hand

Democratic Primary: The “Mediocre” Controversy

The Democratic side of the ticket is also seeing internal strife. State Representative James Talarico is facing intense backlash over alleged comments regarding former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred.

• The Comment: A viral TikTok video alleged Talarico said he “signed up to run against a mediocre Black man [Allred], not a formidable, intelligent Black woman [Crockett].”
• The Fallout: Colin Allred released a scathing video on Monday, February 2, condemning Talarico for “tearing down a Black man” to compliment a Black woman. Allred officially endorsed Jasmine Crockett following the controversy.
• Talarico’s Defense: Talarico called the report a “mischaracterization,” stating he was referring to Allred’s campaigning style as mediocre, not his personhood.

Current Standings: Texas U.S. Senate Primary (Feb 2026)

The Emerson College Polling/Nexstar Media poll released in mid-January shows a highly fractured electorate, making a May 26 runoff almost certain for both parties.

The Trump Factor: As of today, President Trump has not issued an endorsement in the GOP primary, though he recently told reporters at Mar-a-Lago that he considers both Paxton and Cornyn “good friends” and is “considering” making a move soon.