Changes

===2026 U.S. Senate election in Texas===

===2026 U.S. Senate election in Texas===

Cornyn faces two major candidates in the Republican primary: current Texas Attorney General [[Ken Paxton]] and current Houston-area U.S. Representative [[Wesley Hunt]], as well as several other "also-ran" candidates.

Cornyn faced two major candidates in the Republican primary: current Texas Attorney General [[Ken Paxton]] and current Houston-area U.S. Representative [[Wesley Hunt]], as well as several other "also-ran" candidates.

Polling had Cornyn roughly even with Paxton and both with a fair lead over Hunt; a runoff was expected as none of the candidates are approaching 50% needed to avoid one.  Cornyn's political advertising has concentrated on his high support (95%) of President Trump's agenda, along with Paxton's ethical issues (bribery accusations and his handling of the Texas Attorney General's office, not to mention his pending divorce and rumors of multiple affairs, including one with a "Christian influencer" mother of seven) and Hunt's "no-showing" during critical votes needed in the House.

Polling during the primary season had Cornyn roughly even with Paxton and both with a fair lead over Hunt; a runoff was expected as none of the candidates are approaching 50% needed to avoid one.  Cornyn's political advertising has concentrated on his high support (95%) of President Trump's agenda, along with Paxton's ethical issues (bribery accusations and his handling of the Texas Attorney General's office, not to mention his pending divorce and rumors of multiple affairs, including one with a "Christian influencer" mother of seven) and Hunt's "no-showing" during critical votes needed in the House.

As expected, Cornyn has received endorsements from traditional Republican leaning organizations (such as law enforcement and pro-life groups), members of the business community, and a substantial number of fellow Members of Congress, past and present.  Cornyn also made appearances at churches pastored by, or received endorsement from, prominent evangelical and Pentecostal figures:

As expected, Cornyn received endorsements from traditional Republican leaning organizations (such as law enforcement and pro-life groups), members of the business community, and a substantial number of fellow Members of Congress, past and present.  Cornyn also made appearances at churches pastored by, or received endorsement from, prominent evangelical and Pentecostal figures:

*In December 2025 he received what could be called a "quasi-endorsement" and a very interesting one: while attending services at [[Prestonwood Baptist Church]] (where his opponent Paxton is a prominent member) Cornyn was recognized from the pulpit by [[Jack Graham (pastor)|Senior Pastor Jack Graham]] for his pro-life and pro-family votes in Congress.<ref>Dr. Graham's remarks, along with an endorsement by Prestonwood Foundation Executive Director Ron Kelley (who organizes candidate forums hosted by the church), were reprinted in the February 2026 edition of '''The LINK Letter''', a publication of Houston-based conservative talk show host Terry Lowry (https://terrylowry.com).</ref>

*In December 2025 he received what could be called a "quasi-endorsement" and a very interesting one: while attending services at [[Prestonwood Baptist Church]] (where his opponent Paxton is a prominent member) Cornyn was recognized from the pulpit by [[Jack Graham (pastor)|Senior Pastor Jack Graham]] for his pro-life and pro-family votes in Congress.<ref>Dr. Graham's remarks, along with an endorsement by Prestonwood Foundation Executive Director Ron Kelley (who organizes candidate forums hosted by the church), were reprinted in the February 2026 edition of '''The LINK Letter''', a publication of Houston-based conservative talk show host Terry Lowry (https://terrylowry.com).</ref>

*Later, in February 2026, he was officially endorsed by notable Evangelical pastor [[Max Lucado]].

*Later, in February 2026, he was officially endorsed by notable Evangelical pastor [[Max Lucado]].

*On consecutive Sundays Cornyn appeared at, and received favorable comments from, First Baptist Church of Dallas Pastor [[Robert Jeffress]] and Cornerstone Church Senior Pastor [[John Hagee]].

*On consecutive Sundays Cornyn appeared at, and received favorable comments from, First Baptist Church of Dallas Pastor [[Robert Jeffress]] and Cornerstone Church Senior Pastor [[John Hagee]].

As expected, Cornyn took the most votes in the primary, but not the majority needed to avoid a runoff with Paxton.  Shortly thereafter, President Trump stated he would "soon" endorse either Cornyn or Paxton but expected the candidate he did not endorse to immediately drop out of the race and end the runoff.

As expected, Cornyn took the most votes in the primary, but not the majority needed to avoid a runoff with Paxton.  Shortly thereafter, President Trump stated he would "soon" endorse either Cornyn or Paxton but expected the candidate he did not endorse to immediately drop out of the race and end the runoff; however, he has not made any endorsement.  Early runoff season polling had Paxton ahead, but polling closer to the election showed Cornyn closing the gap and, in some cases, with a slight lead.

==Senate career==

==Senate career==