Ken Paxton

RAttorney General of Texas (since 2015)

Defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the May 26, 2026 Republican primary runoff

Ken Paxton is the Texas Attorney General, previously a member of the Texas State Senate and Texas House of Representatives, running for the U.S. Senate after defeating incumbent John Cornyn in the Republican primary runoff.[1]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

On the record — official actions

actionAs Texas Attorney General, led lawsuits against companies including Pfizer over COVID-19 vaccine marketing claims and participated in national opioid-crisis settlement litigation, according to his campaign website.[1]
vote2013-07-12 · As a Texas state senator, voted yes on HB 2 (requiring abortion facilities to meet ambulatory-surgical-center standards and banning abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy), which passed the Senate 19-11 on July 12, 2013.[2]
vote2011-03-24 · As a Texas state representative, voted yes on SB 14 (requiring voters to present photo identification to vote), which passed the House 101-48 on March 24, 2011.[3]
legal2023-05-27 · The Texas House voted 121–23 on May 27, 2023 to adopt H.R. 2377, impeaching Paxton as attorney general on articles including bribery, abuse of office and obstruction, which suspended him from office pending trial.[4][6]
legal2023-09-16 · The Texas Senate acquitted Paxton on all 16 articles of impeachment on September 16, 2023, and he returned to office.[5]

Positions on the issues

SupportsExpand immigration enforcement and deportations
Says he will work with President Trump to secure the border and deport people in the country illegally.[1]
“champion President Trump's legislative priorities, including cutting taxes, securing the border and deporting illegal aliens, ending the weaponization of government, and draining the Swamp”
OpposesStricter gun laws
Says he will stand with President Trump to protect gun rights, opposing stricter gun laws.[1]
“He will stand with President Trump to protect our gun rights, defend the unborn”
OpposesProtect legal access to abortionFrom recorded votes
As a Texas state senator, voted yes on HB 2, which required abortion facilities to meet ambulatory-surgical-center standards, required admitting privileges at nearby hospitals for physicians performing abortions, and banned abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.[2]
What they say: Says he will "defend the unborn," indicating opposition to legal abortion access.[1]
“He will stand with President Trump to protect our gun rights, defend the unborn”

In their words — priorities

Says he will "champion President Trump's legislative priorities, including cutting taxes, securing the border and deporting illegal aliens, ending the weaponization of government, and draining the Swamp."[1]
Cites lawsuits as Attorney General against technology and pharmaceutical companies, including a suit against Pfizer over COVID-19 vaccine claims and national opioid-crisis settlements, as part of his record.[1]

Background

Served in the Texas House of Representatives (2003–2013) and Texas State Senate (2013–2015) before being elected Texas Attorney General in 2014, taking office in 2015.[1]
Holds a bachelor's and master's degree from Baylor University and a law degree from the University of Virginia; operated a private law practice for 14 years before seeking elected office.[1]

Campaign money

Raised $9.2M · spent $7.5M · $1.8M cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗