Competitive Primary Fights Shape Up for Texas GOP

Texas Republicans are gearing up for what is shaping up to be their most contentious primary cycle for statewide offices in more than ten years, with major contests for the U.S. Senate, attorney general, and state comptroller already heating up months before the March 2026 vote.

Senator John Cornyn has wasted no time going on the offensive against Attorney General Ken Paxton, his main rival for the Senate seat. Cornyn launched an entire website, CrookedKen.com, to catalog his criticisms, bluntly declaring Paxton “unfit for office.” Paxton, in turn, dismissed the attacks as “blatant hypocrisy and desperation,” accusing Cornyn of tarnishing his own legacy, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.

With Paxton eyeing the Senate, the attorney general’s office will have no incumbent for the first time since 2014. So far, State Senator Mayes Middleton and former U.S. Assistant Attorney General Aaron Reitz are officially in the running. The campaign has already taken a negative turn, with Reitz publicly questioning Middleton’s credentials and accusing him of buying support, attacks Middleton has largely brushed off while amassing endorsements from various political figures.

State Senator Kelly Hancock’s surprise resignation from the Legislature this week came with his announcement to run for state comptroller, aiming to succeed Glenn Hegar, who is stepping down to lead the Texas A&M University System. Hancock will face off against former State Senator Don Huffines and Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick for the GOP nomination.

Governor Greg Abbott has waded into the contest, backing Hancock and indirectly taking a swipe at Huffines by stressing the need for a nominee “who will actually win,” referencing Huffines’ past losses to a Democrat and to Abbott himself.

With the filing deadline not until early December, additional hopefuls may still enter these high-profile races, promising a turbulent and closely watched primary season for Texas Republicans.