Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Sunday he will sit down with Senate Majority Leader John Thune this week, following his decisive victory over four-term incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary runoff. The meeting underscores the shifting alliances within the GOP as Paxton prepares for a general election contest that some analysts say could be tighter than expected.
Since defeating Cornyn, Paxton has been in touch with Thune, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso of South Dakota, Republican Conference Chair Tom Cotton of Arkansas, and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Tim Scott of South Carolina. “So, I think they’ve all pledged their support along with other US Republican senators and I’m going to meet with several in this week,” Paxton said on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.”
Paxton emphasized the stakes for the party in Texas, a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1994. “I think they understand how important Texas is, not just because of the majority but also because we haven’t lost a statewide race since 1994 and this isn’t the time to do it. We need to unite and we need to fight together and I’m willing to do that,” he added.
Yet the path to November may not be as smooth as Paxton suggests. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report shifted its rating for the Texas Senate race from “likely Republican” to “lean Republican” after Paxton’s runoff win, signaling potential vulnerabilities. This change echoes concerns voiced by GOP strategists Steve Bannon and Brad Todd about the attorney general’s general election appeal. Low turnout in the runoff has also fueled worry among Republicans about Paxton’s ability to mobilize the base.
Despite those doubts, Paxton expressed confidence about facing his Democratic opponent, state Representative James Talarico. He called the race “easy” with strong backing from former President Donald Trump. “We need to listen to Donald Trump. He’s the leader of the party. I think what he’s trying to accomplish is what most Americans want, certainly what Republicans want and so whatever we need to do to get behind the president I’m for,” Paxton told host Maria Bartiromo.
Paxton also linked his victory to broader trends, pointing to the loss of incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy in Louisiana’s primary as evidence of a GOP shift. “I think that message has been sent both with this election in Texas and the election in Louisiana,” he said. The Louisiana race has drawn additional attention after the state GOP redrew its House map following a Supreme Court ruling, eliminating a Black-majority district.
Paxton’s meeting with Thune comes at a critical moment for Senate Republicans, who are navigating internal divisions and a narrow majority. The Texas race is one of several key contests that will determine control of the chamber. With Trump’s endorsement and a promise to align with the party’s leadership, Paxton is positioning himself as a unifying figure—but the Cook shift and strategist skepticism suggest the general election could test that claim.
