Ken Paxton, often referenced in searches as ken paxton, is the Texas attorney general and the Republican nominee on the ballot for US Senate in the November general election.
He advanced from the Republican primary runoff on May 26, 2026, when he defeated incumbent John Cornyn after neither topped 50 percent on March 3, 2026.
Paxton resumed serving as attorney general on September 18, 2023, after the Texas Senate acquitted him on 16 articles of impeachment on September 16, 2023.
The Texas House had voted to impeach him on May 27, 2023, triggering his suspension before the Senate trial.
On May 19, 2026, President Donald Trump endorsed Paxton in the runoff, and Paxton received additional endorsements from U.S. Representatives Lance Gooden and Troy Nehls.
Legal History Campaign Finance And Political Spending
Paxton has a long legal and political record that figures into the Senate contest, including a 2015 state grand jury indictment for felony securities fraud tied to Servergy stock sales.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission brought civil securities fraud charges in April 2016, but a federal judge dismissed those charges in March 2017.
In 2020 several top aides accused Paxton of improper influence and other misconduct, and later litigation led to a tentative settlement on February 10, 2023, that would pay $3.3 million and include an apology from Paxton, as reported by The Texas Tribune.
Campaign finance filings as of May 6, 2026, show Paxton reported about $7.6 million in receipts, $5.26 million in disbursements, and $2.34 million cash on hand, according to Federal Election Commission data.
Outside groups have spent heavily on the Senate primary, with outlets reporting a wide gap between Cornyn and Paxton support spending.
The San Antonio Express News and The Texas Tribune reported satellite groups supporting Cornyn spent tens of millions, while reporting found smaller sums backing Paxton in televised buying.
Paxton’s campaign website frames his message around support for President Trump’s priorities, border security, opposition to what it calls the weaponization of government, and fiscal conservatism, language the campaign posted and Ballotpedia quoted verbatim.
Political ratings from The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball listed the general election as Likely Republican as of May 2026.
