Texas Republican Senate primary too close to call among John Cornyn, Ken Paxton and Wesley Hunt: poll

New York Post ^ | 2/5/2026 | Josh Christensen

[Republican Wildcat]

The closely watched Republican Senate primary in Texas is too close to call, with incumbent John Cornyn, Rep. Wesley Hunt, and state Attorney General Ken Paxton within 1.5 percentage points of each other, according to a new poll exclusively obtained by The Post.

J.L. Partners found 27.0% of likely voters supported Paxton, 25.7% backed Hunt, and 25.5% would cast a ballot for Cornyn if the election were held today. Another 21.7% were unsure of whom they would support.

The survey indicates the race has tightened from two months ago, when 29% of likely primary voters said they would back Paxton — while Hunt and Cornyn each hovered at around 24% support.

---

TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: cornyn; hunt; johncornyn; kenpaxton; paxton; texas; wesleyhunt

[Republican Wildcat]

It appears possible that Cornyn could be out on the first ballot.

[Antoninus]

The only reason Hunt is in the race is to save Cornball. Cornball needs to be an ex-Senator in the worst way.

[11th_VA]

Something similar happened with Ollie North 30 years ago. After Ollie won the primary, the Virginia GOPe voted for the DemocRAT and an Independent - and we lost a Republican seat. Let’s see if history repeats itself.

[Republican Wildcat]

There’s nothing to support that comment given his entering the race has consistently harmed Cornyn the most.

[ProgressingAmerica]

We need better voters.

[stanne]

“There’s nothing to support that comment given his entering the race has consistently harmed Cornyn the most.”

Mr Wldcat- I agree with Antoninus. I imagine Cornyn wants the plurality. Paxton is the only elected official in the US besides DNT who does anything.

Cornyn is a dem.

Do you have any data for your statement?

[Presbyterian Reporter]

Do not overlook the fact that TEXAS is an Open Primary State.

The Republican primary winner will be decided by Democrats and Independents.

Thus, the most likely winner will be Cornyn.

[stanne]

I believe Cornyn would be getting routed by Paxton right now, actually. Perhaps I am mistaken.

But Paxton works for a living

For instance -

Posted on 2/5/2026, 3:03:00 PM by DFG

Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the Muslim Brotherhood, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (“CAIR”), and CAIR’s Austin, Houston, and DFW chapters to ban the terrorist organizations from operating in Texas and to stop their violent ideology from spreading across the state.

[Presbyterian Reporter]

Here is the link-—

Open Primary States 2026

https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/open-primary-states

[KitJ]

I haven’t been following the Texas senate primaries. Are there any good guys in the mix? Any MAGA?

[FlyingEagle]

Is John Cornyn still alive?

Have not heard a word from him for 6 years.

[Wallace T.]

Ken Paxton, although I wish he were U.S. Attorney General. Clinton, Obama, Biden, and the rest of the Democrat mafia would look for new addresses in countries that lack extradition treaties.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

The problem is that if Cornyn loses, I have no doubt that he will do everything in his power to cause Paxton to lose to the Democrat, no matter who it is.

[Night Hides Not]

He knows he’s in trouble, having deigned to appear on Mark Davis’ show in Dallas at least 4 times over the past two months. Davis has no ratings now that he’s on a Salem station.

[takebackaustin]

After trying to call his office I’m pretty sure his attitude to votes and citizens is, “if I want your opinion I’ll ask for it”. More interest from Sen. Duckworth than Crony’n.

[KitJ]

I’ve been doing a little research since I posted. My initial reaction is:
AG Paxton - bulldog prosecutor, pro-MAGA
Cornyn - RINO, presents as MAGA, will undermine Trump at every opportunity
Hunt - demoncrat spoiler/RINO/Never-Trump

Has Trump endorsed any of these critters?

[Wallace T.]

I wish Trump would endorse Paxton, but I understand the President's limitations, as Cornyn is a member of the moderate clique in the Senate.

[thegagline]

Wesley Hunt for the win!

[spintreebob]

Will there be a runoff? Which way will the votes go that previously were for the guy who didn’t make the runoff?

Looking from the outside, both Cornyn and Paxton seem to have more negatives than positives. More people against the other guy than vote for the guy who happens to get their vote.

[TBP]

Corbyn is a #RINO.

If either Paxton or Hunt is the nominee, then Ted Cruz will soon be the Senior Senator from Texas.