Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton slightly trails Senator John Cornyn but leads Representative Wesley Hunt in the state’s Republican primary race for U.S. Senate, according to a poll released on Wednesday.
Why It Matters
The contest between Paxton, Cornyn and Hunt for the 2026 nomination stands to reshape the statewide GOP landscape. Internal party division could create new opportunities for Democrats, who remain hopeful for a breakthrough in the Lone Star State come Election Day. The narrow margins and high numbers of undecided voters make this primary a crucial battleground as the Republican Party navigates internal rifts over President Donald Trump’s influence, immigration and the economy.
What To Know
According to the poll by co/efficient, Cornyn holds a slight lead with 28 percent support versus Paxton’s 27 percent and Hunt’s 19 percent. The poll shows that 26 percent remain undecided.
The poll surveyed 1,022 likely Republican primary voters from December 1-3 with a 3.07 percent margin of error.
The poll shows Cornyn’s favorability at 52 percent versus a 39 percent unfavorable rating. Paxton’s favorability rating is 58 percent versus a 34 percent unfavorable rating. Hunt’s favorability is 49 percent versus an 11 percent unfavorable rating.
“After spending $70 million since July, John Cornyn has dropped by over 10% according to his own polling,” Hunt said in an emailed statement to Newsweek on Thursday. “It is abundantly clear to everyone, except for Cornyn, that Texans no longer want him representing Texas, the greatest state in our union.”
Nick Maddux, spokesman for Paxton, told Newsweek via email: “John Cornyn is close exclusively in polls he and his supporting groups fund. He is a legend in his own mind.”
Newsweek also reached out to Cornyn’s campaign via email for comment.
Meanwhile, a University of Houston and Texas Southern University poll from October found Paxton leading with 34 percent to Cornyn’s 33 percent, Hunt at 22 percent, and 11 percent undecided. The poll surveyed 576 registered voters from September 19-October 1 and had a margin of error of 4.08 percent.
What People Are Saying
Representative Wesley Hunt, about Cornyn’s campaign on X on Wednesday: “A campaign built on pure gaslighting. Take his best poll, layer on the $70 million wasted propping him up, and ask yourself: What kind of 24-year incumbent brags about numbers like this? That’s not strength, that’s a political career on life support.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, on X in April: “For years, John Cornyn has betrayed President Trump and the America First movement. Texas deserves better, and that’s why I’m running for U.S. Senate. Join me in the fight: http://KenPaxton.com“
Team Cornyn on X last month: “The media loves the drama, but the scoreboard tells the truth. Senator @JohnCornyn holds a 99% voting record with President @realDonaldTrump. While others chase retweets, Cornyn chases results”
What Happens Next
The Texas Republican primary is scheduled for March 3, 2026. If no candidate surpasses 50 percent, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff in May. Key factors likely to affect the outcome include the significant share of undecided voters, the impact of future campaign spending and advertising, and whether Trump issues an endorsement.