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Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are headed to a runoff election after neither candidate secured a majority in Tuesday’s Republican primary for the U.S. Senate in Texas.
With about two-thirds of the vote counted, Cornyn led the field with roughly 42.9 percent, while Paxton followed closely with 40.3 percent, according to projections from Decision Desk HQ. Because no candidate reached the 50 percent threshold required to win outright, the two will face off in a runoff scheduled for May 26.
The race drew a crowded field of eight Republican candidates competing for the nomination. Cornyn, who is seeking a fifth term in the Senate, faced a strong challenge from Paxton, along with several other contenders.
Wesley Hunt was the only other candidate to reach double digits, receiving about 13.1 percent of the vote as ballots continued to be counted. Other candidates in the race included Sara Canady, Anna Bender, Gulrez “Gus” Khan, Virgil John Bierschwale and John O. Adefope.
South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott noted that the race’s runoff was expected and supported Cornyn’s reelection.
“This race was always headed to a runoff, and Senator @JohnCornyn is positioned to win it. Tonight proved it. As the campaign moves forward, voters will see a proven conservative who wins tough fights and delivers results for Texas,” Scott posted to X.
On the Democratic side, James Talarico defeated Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who had not yet been called. With roughly 64 percent of the vote tallied, Talarico held a lead with about 52.5 percent compared with Crockett’s 46.3 percent.
President Donald Trump has not endorsed a candidate in the Republican contest. The president has said previously that he supports Cornyn, Paxton and Hunt.
The runoff will determine which Republican advances to the general election in November in one of the most closely watched Senate contests in the country.