Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is considering a potential U.S. Senate run, no longer overshadowed by a federal corruption investigation that had hung over him. The Justice Department decided not to pursue the investigation into Paxton over bribery allegations in the final weeks of the Biden administration, giving him a clean slate if he decides to challenge Republican Senator John Cornyn in 2026.
Paxton has faced multiple legal troubles, including felony securities fraud charges and investigations for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. However, with the corruption investigation dropped, he is now seen as a resilient and ascendant figure among hard-right Republicans, potentially giving his opponents less leverage for political attacks.
Paxton has targeted Cornyn for criticism, especially after the senator spoke out against him. If Paxton enters the race, it would likely be a competitive primary campaign for Cornyn, a popular member of the GOP conference. Cornyn previously lost a bid for Senate majority leader to South Dakota Senator John Thune.
In 2020, eight of Paxton’s aides accused him of using his office to benefit a Texas real estate developer he had an affair with, resulting in his impeachment and acquittal in the Texas Senate in 2023. The real estate developer, Nate Paul, later pleaded guilty to federal charges.
Paxton has not made a decision on the Senate race yet, but with the corruption investigation behind him, he may pose a significant challenge to Cornyn in what could be a contentious primary battle in 2026.
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