{"id":2476888,"date":"2025-08-20T17:46:02","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T21:46:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cornyn-nearly-halves-paxtons-lead-in-competitive-senate-primary-battle-poll\/"},"modified":"2025-08-20T17:47:29","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T21:47:29","slug":"cornyn-nearly-halves-paxtons-lead-in-competitive-senate-primary-battle-poll","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cornyn-nearly-halves-paxtons-lead-in-competitive-senate-primary-battle-poll\/","title":{"rendered":"Cornyn nearly halves Paxton&#8217;s lead in competitive Senate primary battle: Poll"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcornyn-nearly-halves-paxtons-lead-in-competitive-senate-primary-battle-poll%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2476888&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the tightening race in the Texas Republican Senate primary leading up to 2026. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who had maintained a strong lead over incumbent Senator John Cornyn by appealing to conservative voters, is seeing his advantage diminish according to recent polling by Texas southern University&#8217;s Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and survey Center. Paxton&#8217;s lead has dropped from 9 points in May to just 5 points. Cornyn&#8217;s campaign has gained momentum,supported by major GOP establishments like the National Republican Senatorial Committee and Senate Leadership Fund,and has worked to counter criticisms about his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-nebraska-gop-formally-criticizes-ben-sasse-avoids-censure-resolution\/\" title=\"Report: Nebraska GOP Formally Criticizes Ben Sasse, Avoids Censure Resolution\">conservative credentials<\/a>. Some Republicans in Texas express concerns that either candidate might struggle against Democratic challengers in the general election. Rep. Wesley Hunt has emerged as a potential third Republican candidate, though he has not officially entered the race. The latest poll, conducted in August among likely Republican primary voters, shows the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mcconnell-sounds-like-he-wants-to-abandon-a-ship-rick-scott-wants-to-captain\/\" title=\"McConnell Sounds Like He Wants To Abandon A Ship Rick Scott Wants To Captain\">race remains competitive<\/a>, including in a hypothetical three-way contest involving Hunt. <br \/> <!DOCTYPE html><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<div id=\"ld-4686-3758\"><\/div>\n<p><script>(function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:14832835450050406,size:[0, 0],id:\"ld-4686-3758\"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/cdn2.decide.dev\/_js\/ajs.js\";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,\"script\",\"ld-ajs\");<\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Cornyn nearly halves Paxton&rsquo;s lead in competitive Senate primary battle: Poll<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2202400\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Texas Attorney General <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ken-paxton\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ken Paxton&rsquo;s<\/a> early advantage over Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-cornyn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">John Cornyn<\/a> (R-TX) in the state&rsquo;s primary battle is rapidly shrinking, according to a new poll.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Paxton is challenging Cornyn from the right ahead of the 2026 primary. The attorney general has enjoyed a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-missouris-eric-greitens-the-left-is-actively-trying-to-destroy-our-country\/\" title=\"Exclusive \u2014 Missouri\u2019s Eric Greitens: The Left is \u2018Actively Trying to Destroy Our Country\u2019\">commanding polling lead<\/a> over Cornyn for months amid conservatives&rsquo; dissatisfaction with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rnc-fires-back-at-trump-says-it-has-every-right-to-use-his-name\/\" title=\"RNC Fires Back at Trump, Says It Has \u2018Every Right\u2019 to Use His Name\">incumbent senator<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3761863\/byron-york-california-redistricting-fight\/\">Byron York notes California values &lsquo;on the shelf&rsquo; during redistricting fight<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3761753\/mike-rogers-michigan-democrats-out-left-each-other-israel-stance-senate-race\/\">Mike Rogers claims Michigan Democrats &#8216;trying to out-left each other&#8217; on Israel stance in Senate race<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3761477\/tim-scott-crypto-lobby-sherrod-brown\/\">Tim Scott credits crypto lobby for ousting Sherrod Brown<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>However, the latest<a href=\"https:\/\/static1.squarespace.com\/static\/67aa7aa3e284b002cd6a420e\/t\/68a3ada8a445a20cd9abaa5e\/1755557288374\/TXSenate2026_TexasSouthernUNIsurvey.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> polling<\/a> from Texas Southern University&rsquo;s Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center showed Cornyn is starting to erase Paxton&rsquo;s advantage. The attorney general holds only a 5-point lead, down from the 9-point margin he had over Cornyn in a poll published by the same group in May.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >poll spells good news<\/a> for the Cornyn campaign, which has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3483012\/john-cornyn-flexes-conservative-chops-senate-primary-ken-paxton\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fought to fend off criticism<\/a> that the incumbent lawmaker lacks conservative credentials, and has been backed by powerful establishment GOP groups such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3758099\/nrsc-memo-gop-unite-cornyn-texas-senate-primary-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Republican Senatorial Committee<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3497236\/senate-gop-pac-slf-spending-cornyn-texas-primary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Senate Leadership Fund<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Still, some Republican operatives in Texas have raised fears that neither Cornyn nor Paxton will be able to fend off a Democratic challenger during the general election.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) has emerged as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3491130\/texas-republicans-wesley-hunt-senate-paxton-cornyn-battle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">possible third candidate <\/a>for Republicans eyeing a stronger option to defeat Democrats, but he has not yet declared a campaign.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), center, walks in the Senate on Capitol Hill, Monday, June 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Mariam Zuhaib)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3486440\/2026-texas-senate-ballots-limbo-lawmakers-weigh-bids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TEXAS SENATE BALLOTS REMAIN IN LIMBO AS LAWMAKERS WEIGH BIDS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The 5-point gap between Paxton and Cornyn remains the same in a hypothetical three-way race with Hunt, according to the latest poll from Texas Southern University&rsquo;s Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The survey was conducted from Aug. 6 to 12 among 1,500 likely Texas Republican primary voters and had a margin of error of 2.53%.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cornyn cuts Paxton&#8217;s lead in tight Texas Senate primary race<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2476889,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/john-cornyn.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[22362,18466,50878,32075],"class_list":["post-2476888","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-cornyn","tag-paxton","tag-poll-2","tag-senate-primary"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/john-cornyn.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2476888","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2476888"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2476888\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2476892,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2476888\/revisions\/2476892"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2476889"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2476888"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2476888"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2476888"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}