Policy Positions Compared for Paxton and Cornyn Ahead of Texas Senate Runoff

Incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn faces Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a May 26 Republican primary runoff. The race pits a party establishment figure in Cornyn against a hardline conservative in Paxton, who is backed by Donald Trump. With control of the 53-47 Republican-led Senate at stake, Cornyn's allies worry Paxton's past scandals make him vulnerable in the general election, while Paxton argues Cornyn is out of touch with the party's base.

Cornyn-Paxton Senate runoff

• ▪The runoff was required after no candidate secured more than half the votes in the March primary.
• ▪Former President Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate seat.
• ▪U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton are competing in a May 26 Republican primary runoff for a Texas U.S. Senate seat.
• ▪The candidates have not participated in a debate and are not expected to before the May 26 election.
• ▪The Texas Tribune compiled the candidates' positions using their past public comments and voting records as neither candidate responded to its questionnaire.

Republican establishment vs. grassroots divide

• ▪Ken Paxton is endorsed by the Gun Owners of America and U.S. Representatives Lance Gooden and Troy Nehls.
• ▪Ken Paxton has argued that Senator John Cornyn is not conservative enough and has lost touch with the Republican party's grassroots.
• ▪John Cornyn's campaign has raised $18.8 million this cycle, while Ken Paxton's has raised $7.7 million.
• ▪John Cornyn is endorsed by Senate Majority Leader John Thune and former Texas Governor Rick Perry.
• ▪John Cornyn has served as a U.S. senator since 2003, while Ken Paxton has been Texas attorney general since 2015.

Policy positions comparison

• ▪John Cornyn stated that any extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits must address fraud, preferring subsidies go to health savings accounts.
• ▪John Cornyn said he is "generally supportive" of a ban on members of Congress trading individual stocks but noted that "the details matter."
• ▪As attorney general, Ken Paxton has repeatedly challenged the Affordable Care Act in court and has long opposed the law.
• ▪Ken Paxton has criticized John Cornyn for his votes in favor of sending U.S. assistance to Ukraine.
• ▪Ken Paxton has stated he supports legal immigration as decided by Congress and that existing immigration laws work if followed.
• ▪John Cornyn has stated that a lasting peace in Ukraine would require concessions from both sides and enforceable security assurances for Ukraine.

General election vulnerability concerns

• ▪Allies of John Cornyn have raised concerns that Ken Paxton would be vulnerable to a Democratic opponent in the November general election.
• ▪Ken Paxton has faced scandals during his 11 years as Texas attorney general.

Senate control implications

• ▪A Democratic victory in the Texas Senate race would be the party's first statewide win in Texas since 1994.
• ▪The U.S. Senate is currently composed of 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats.

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