John Cornyn and Ken Paxton are headed to a Republican runoff in Texas’ closely watched U.S. Senate primary after neither candidate secured a majority of the vote in Tuesday’s election.
With most ballots counted, Cornyn, a four-term U.S. senator, led the field with roughly 42% of the vote, while Paxton, the state’s attorney general, trailed closely with about 41%. U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt finished third with about 13%, according to preliminary results.
Under Texas election law, a candidate must win more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff. Because no candidate reached that threshold, Cornyn and Paxton will advance to a runoff election scheduled for May 26.
The contest has become one of the most closely watched Republican primaries in the country, pitting an establishment conservative with decades of experience in Washington against a hardline challenger popular with the party’s more populist wing.
Cornyn, who has served in the Senate since 2002, has emphasized his experience and seniority in Washington. Paxton, first elected attorney general in 2014, has campaigned as a staunch conservative and outspoken ally of former President Donald Trump.
The winner of the Republican runoff will face Democrat James Talarico in the November general election in a race that could draw national attention as both parties compete for control of the Senate.