Matthew and Eleanor are joined by Tribune D.C. reporter Gabby Birenbaum and radio host Chad Hasty to unpack the three candidates vying to be the Republican nominee for Senate in 2026.
Ken Paxton
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas AG Ken Paxton to investigate UNT for not disciplining students accused of celebrating Charlie Kirk killing
Paxton called on the university to expel the students. Free speech experts have previously criticized state leaders who laud Kirk as a free speech champion while seeking to discipline those who have celebrated his death.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Rep. Wesley Hunt pitches himself as a younger Ken Paxton in U.S. Senate primary bid
Hunt, 43, said his entry into the race to defeat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn guarantees that a “conservative warrior” will be Texas’ next senator — and that only he and Paxton fit the bill.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Cornyn heads into fall with big cash advantage over GOP primary challengers Paxton, Hunt
Texas’ senior senator outraised his foes across his campaign operation, though some of the money is ineligible to be transferred to his main account.
Posted in
Politics
As energy finds Texas young conservatives, U.S. Senate hopefuls make their pitch
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt are finding ways onto stages in front of young conservatives galvanized by Charlie Kirk’s killing.
Posted in
Politics
Paxton sides with Texas GOP, against secretary of state in lawsuit seeking to close primaries
Secretary of State Jane Nelson said in a filing that Paxton’s office gave her less than an hour’s warning that they’d be siding against her agency in court.
Posted in
Politics
AG Ken Paxton announces undercover investigations of ‘leftist terror cells’
Paxton cited the recent attack on a Dallas immigration field office, though the shooter’s political affiliation was unclear and there was no evidence he was linked to organized “cells.”
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
GOP Rep. Wesley Hunt announces run for U.S. Senate, joining Cornyn, Paxton in primary
The Houston congressman is giving up his safe seat after just two terms, scrambling the contest between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Posted in
Politics
Texas attorney general tells 4 cities to drop tax hikes amid investigations into incomplete audits
Most of the cities — Odessa, La Marque, Tom Bean and Whitesboro — said they are following the law and Ken Paxton’s office is jumping the gun on enforcing new state rules.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Cornyn nabs endorsements from 15 former GOP members of Congress in primary vs. Paxton
It’s a further sign of how the Washington establishment has consolidated behind the senior Texas senator, who is being backed by the Senate GOP’s campaign arm in his primary.
