IT'S CALLED - High-Stakes Texas GOP Senate Primary Has Been Called
Austin, Texas — The high-stakes Republican runoff for the U.S. Senate nomination in Texas has been called in favor of state Attorney General Ken Paxton, who defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. President Donald Trump had endorsed Paxton, describing him as a close ally and strong supporter of the America First agenda.
Paxton’s victory marks a significant shift in Texas Republican politics and represents a major test of Trump’s continued influence over GOP primaries. With Republicans holding a narrow 53-47 majority in the U.S. Senate, the November general election in Texas is expected to be one of the most closely watched contests in the country as the party seeks to protect and potentially expand its majority.
On the Democratic side, state Rep. James Talarico emerged as the nominee after defeating Rep. Jasmine Crockett — a vocal critic of President Trump — in the March primary. Democrats view the race as a rare opportunity to flip a Texas Senate seat for the first time in nearly four decades, while Republicans frame the contest as a clear choice between conservative governance and what they describe as far-left policies.
The Senate race headlines a busy Texas runoff ballot that also includes high-profile contests for attorney general and several congressional primaries. One notable Democratic primary runoff in Texas’s 35th Congressional District drew attention after a candidate proposed converting a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility into a prison for American supporters of Israel, intensifying debates over immigration enforcement and ideological divisions within the Democratic Party.
Talarico, a progressive Democrat and Presbyterian seminarian, has drawn sharp criticism from Republicans for past statements on social media and in public speeches. GOP groups, including the Republican National Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, have highlighted remarks such as “poverty is violence,” claims that the Bible supports abortion, assertions that there are six biological sexes, and statements opposing border enforcement measures. Republicans have also pointed to Talarico’s comments equating prisons with “domestic abuse” and suggesting “people don’t belong in cages.”
The NRSC has produced advertising, including a deepfake-style spot, that compiles Talarico’s previous statements on transgender issues, religion, and immigration. In one 2021 speech, Talarico stated, “In my faith, God is non-binary,” while criticizing a Republican bill on school sports participation. He has also remarked that “modern science obviously recognizes that there are many more than two biological sexes” and that “our trans community needs abortion care too.”
Republicans have seized on these positions, arguing they are out of step with Texas voters. RNC spokesman Zach Kraft stated that parents in the state are increasingly concerned about such rhetoric. Talarico’s campaign has not issued a detailed response to the specific advertising in the information available.
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The general election matchup is expected to be contentious, with both sides already mobilizing resources and framing the contest around broader national issues including border security, cultural values, and the future direction of the Republican Party. Paxton’s win in the primary solidifies the Trump-aligned wing of the Texas GOP, while Talarico’s nomination reflects progressive influence within the state Democratic Party.
Results from the runoff will be certified in the coming days, and the general election campaign is now underway in earnest.
