As Cornyn and Paxton head to the runoff, we updated our Q&A to reflect the two candidates. Both declined to participate, so we used their past statements and voting history to show where they stand on foreign policy, AI and other key issues.
Ken Paxton
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Health care
After conversion therapy ruling, therapists torn on future of Texas’ gender care ban
The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled conversion therapy is free speech. Some LGBTQ+ advocates say the ruling applies to gender-affirming therapy, too, while others say the courts won’t protect them.
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2026 Texas Elections
John Cornyn wallops Ken Paxton in first quarter fundraising for U.S. Senate seat
Both Republican candidates lagged far behind Democratic candidate James Talarico.
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2026 Texas Elections
Dan Patrick says Republicans will “have a tough time” holding Texas House majority in November
The lieutenant governor’s remarks are the latest sign that Republicans are worried about the fall midterms. The GOP has controlled the state House since 2003 and currently has an 88-62 advantage.
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2026 Texas Elections
Five weeks after teasing endorsement, Trump remains on the sidelines of Cornyn-Paxton Senate runoff
The president could still weigh in over the next seven weeks. But his inaction before last month’s dropout deadline has only hardened the rivalry.
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2026 Texas Elections
Here’s how to vote in Texas’ May 26 primary runoff elections
Voters will decide over 30 races, including a nationally watched battle between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton. The registration deadline is April 27, and early voting is May 18–22.
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State Government
Judge will allow Attorney General Ken Paxton to withdraw from representing comptroller’s office in voucher case
The Houston federal judge said Paxton’s office can pull out of the case as soon as acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock finds new lawyers. The unusual request comes amid a bubbling feud between the two Republicans.
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TribCast
TribCast: Assessing the rollout of Texas school vouchers
In this week’s episode, hosts Matthew and Eleanor talk with Tribune K-12 education reporter Jaden Edison about who in Texas applied for school vouchers and why Muslim schools were shut out of the program.
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2026 Texas Elections
Ken Paxton won’t represent Comptroller Kelly Hancock in school voucher suit amid grudge match
In a Thursday letter, Paxton said Hancock jeopardized the state’s defense in the case by leaking a separate letter he sent to the AG’s office on Tuesday.
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2026 Texas Elections
Mayes Middleton nabs former opponent Aaron Reitz’s endorsement in GOP attorney general runoff
Reitz, a former aide to Texas AG Ken Paxton, had sharply criticized both Middleton and Chip Roy on the campaign trail.