Texas Republican Primary 2026: Ken Paxton Ousts John Cornyn, First TX Senator Defeated | GOP Digest May 27, 2026

Ken Paxton Defeats Sen. John Cornyn in Texas Senate Runoff:

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, backed by President Trump, defeated four-term incumbent Sen. John Cornyn by more than 25 points in Tuesday's Republican primary runoff. Cornyn becomes the first Texas GOP senator to lose his party's renomination. Paxton will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in November in what forecasters rate as a safe Republican hold.

Endorsements Reshape the Entire 2026 Map:

With over 200 endorsements issued, Trump's political operation has now ousted Sen. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana and Sen. Cornyn in Texas in back-to-back weeks, plus Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky. Trump-backed Ed Gallrein defeated Massie 55–45% in the most expensive House primary in Kentucky history — over $30 million spent.

Republican Senate Runoff Set for June 16:

Rep. Mike Collins and former football coach Derek Dooley advanced from the May 19 Republican Senate primary with 41% and 30% respectively, heading to a June 16 runoff. The winner faces vulnerable Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November — currently the race most forecasters rate as the top Democratic Senate target at risk of flipping.

NRCC Posts Best Year-to-Date Haul in Committee History:

The NRCC reported $57.6 million raised through April — the committee's strongest year-to-date total ever — including a $10.4 million April alone. The NRSC has cleared its $26M debt and is seeding every GOP Senate incumbent with $1.1 million in early max contributions, backed by 26,000 new donors with 99% of donations under $200.

Three House Democrats Out in a Month Over Misconduct:

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) resigned from Congress in April after four women alleged sexual misconduct including assault and more than 50 former staffers called for his removal. His exit followed Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick's resignation just before an Ethics Committee hearing and Rep. Tony Gonzales's departure over an admitted affair with a staffer who died by suicide — three House Democrats gone in under 30 days over misconduct.

Open Senate Seat Emerges as Must-Win Battleground:

With Sen. Gary Peters retired, Republican Mike Rogers leads early general-election polling in Michigan's open seat, running ahead of potential Democratic opponents by 1–4 points in a May 14 Mitchell Research survey. All major forecasters rate the race a Toss-up — one of only two Democratic-held Senate seats in Trump-won states on the 2026 ballot.