POLITICS

Paxton intensifies Senate bid amid heated Texas primary

PUBLISHED Feb 16, 2026, 2:39 PM ET

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DALLAS — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton intensified his U.S. Senate campaign Monday, holding a rally since announcing his challenge to four-term Republican Sen. John Cornyn 10 months ago. Paxton plans stops across Texas with early voting beginning Tuesday for the March 3 primary and is airing ads linking him to Trump. Cornyn and allied groups have run millions in attack ads against Paxton, while Senate Republican leaders say Cornyn is a stronger general-election candidate. Separately, host Stephen Colbert said a planned interview with Democrat James Talarico was withheld by network counsel. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Paxton announced his U.S. Senate candidacy approximately ten months before early voting.
Paxton maintained a lower-wattage campaign focused on conservative legal initiatives as attorney general.
Paxton began airing ads linking himself to former President Trump and expanded stops.
Paxton held his first campaign rally in a local setting ahead of early voting.
Early voting opened Tuesday, Feb. 17, for the March 3 primary; networks discussed equal-time concerns.

News Intelligence

The Texas Senate race impacts your rights and community. It shapes laws and policies. If you're in Texas, early voting has started. Check your local polling station. If you're elsewhere, watch how this race unfolds. It could hint at national trends.

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Articles Published:: 10
Right Leaning:: 2
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 8

Who Benefited

Ken Paxton benefited from increased visibility after holding his first campaign rally and running advertisements linking him to former President Donald Trump, which elevated his profile and positioned him as a leading contender in the Republican primary.

Who Impacted

John Cornyn and his allies faced intensified primary pressure and spent heavily on attack ads and outreach, reflecting increased campaign costs and intra-party competition ahead of the March 3 primary.

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