Cornyn outraised Paxton in kickoff quarter of Texas Senate primary upended by AG’s divorce

Texas Sen. John Cornyn outraised his Republican challenger, Attorney General Ken Paxton, by $1 million during the first three months of what’s becoming one of the most hotly contested primary battles of the 2026 midterm elections.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn outraised his Republican challenger, Attorney General Ken Paxton, by $1 million during the first three months of what’s becoming one of the most hotly contested primary battles of the 2026 midterm elections. Cornyn raised $3.9 million to Paxton’s $2.9 million between April, the month the conservative firebrand Paxton launched his campaign to unseat the four-term senator, and the end of June, their campaigns said. Their fundraising totals come as the race is upended by Paxton’s wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, who sent shockwaves through Texas last week with her announcement that she had filed for divorce. Her divorce petition accused Paxton of adultery and said they had not lived together for more than a year. A state court on Friday ordered records in the divorce sealed, several Texas news outlets reported, which could spare Paxton from having to address potentially embarrassing details that emerge during the proceedings in the midst of his campaign. Cornyn told CNN on Monday that Paxton has “a multitude of problems.” He called the divorce “a painful experience for all involved” and a “private matter.” He was also asked if the matter underscores problems with Paxton’s character. “Obviously, this isn’t the first instance of the factors that gave rise to the divorce. That’s about all I’m going to have to say about it,” he said.