The voting registration deadline for the Texas primaries ended on Monday, and the early voting for primaries starts in less than two weeks on Feb. 17. Among all the races, however, all eyes are on the U.S. Senate primaries.
The front-runners for the Texas Republican U.S. Senate primary include incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Houston. The winner of the primary will likely face either of the Democratic primary main contenders, Texas Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, or U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, in the upcoming midterm elections.
According to a January Emerson College poll, Paxton leads Cornyn 27% to 26%. The poll also predicts a runoff election, where no candidate gets above 50% of the primary vote, and the two leading candidates face each other. Hunt trails the other candidates at 16%, but 29% of voters said they are undecided.
Sen. John Cornyn
Incumbent Sen. John Cornyn has held the seat since 2002 and is currently serving his fourth term. He said his top priorities will be to ensure borders are secure, continue to bring down the cost of living and support law enforcement.
Cornyn said what separates him from the other candidates is his experience.
“I’ve spent years building relationships, passing legislation, and delivering results for Texas – not just talking about it,” Cornyn wrote in an email statement. “I’ve built trust with Texans, and they know where I stand: conservative, consistent, with strong character and focused on outcomes, not headlines. No scandals, just results.”
Cornyn visited UT-Austin last year to discuss advancing research opportunities for students and ending diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. For UT students, he said he will focus on “defending free speech, supporting research and workforce pipelines, and keeping Texas a place where graduates want to stay.”
“My goal is to leave behind a safer, freer, and more prosperous America, one where opportunity is earned, rights are protected, and Texas continues to lead,” Cornyn wrote. “I encourage students to stay engaged, ask tough questions, and be part of that future.”
Attorney General Ken Paxton
Paxton has held the position of attorney general since 2015. His Senate campaign’s top priorities are to help carry President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda, secure the border and uphold conservative values, according to his website.
In the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Paxton visited the University last November for a UT Turning Point USA event to talk to students about what it means to “fight for freedom and preserve the values that make Texas strong,” he said in a news release.
“There is a growing wave of young conservatives across this country rising up, and I know many of these Longhorns are playing an impactful role in that movement,” Paxton wrote in a news release.
Paxton did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Rep. Wesley Hunt
Hunt currently represents District 38, which includes part of Houston and northwest toward the Woodlands, in the U.S. House of Representatives. He has served since 2023 and is on the House Natural Resources and Judiciary Committee.
Hunt’s main focuses listed on his website are supporting President Trump, cutting “fraud, waste, and abuse” that happened under former President Joe Biden and securing the southern border.
“I truly believe nothing is more worth fighting for than our great country and our Texas values,” Hunt said on his website.
Hunt did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
