Trump Endorsed
Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
38.2%
32.1%
23.3%
Texas Republican Senate nominee?
$16.2M
MAY 27, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleAttorney General
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age63 years old (Dec 23, 1962)
GenderMale
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LocationTexas
BackgroundAttorney
Notable personal detailsWarren Kenneth Paxton Jr. is an American lawyer and Republican politician who has served as the Attorney General of Texas since 2015. He previously served in the Texas Legislature before becoming the state's chief legal officer. He has also run for higher office, including U.S. Senate.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgtexasattorneygeneral.govkenpaxton.comaclutx.orgthedailybeast.comaxios.comwww2.texasattorneygeneral.govcapitol.texas.govpa.govsos.texas.govjustice.govnga.orgnacogdoches.orgfiles.hdfcfund.compt.wikipedia.orgreddit.comtexastribune.orgoag.state.tx.usksat.comtexasscorecard.comapnews.comcbsnews.comnpr.orgabcnews.comtheguardian.comhoustonpublicmedia.orgbbc.comusatoday.compolitico.comarrington.house.govelpasotimes.comkrgv.combritannica.commotherjones.comfoxnews.comballotpedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgsubstack.govtrack.usde.wikipedia.orgvotesmart.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgstatic.votesmart.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgcreativecommons.orgupload.wikimedia.orgballotready.orgdata.ballotpedia.orgdonate.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcongress.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports lowering or protecting taxes for households and businesses and favors passing corporate tax savings to consumers; has intervened to defend property tax cuts and opposed local actions that would raise property taxes. Policy actions emphasize tax relief and reduced tax burdens rather than expanding taxation or redistribution.
Healthcare
Opposes federal mandates expanding or compelling specific healthcare services and defends state control over Medicaid and parental access to children’s medical records; pursues legal action against federal HHS rules and policies he views as overreach. Supports enforcement actions against pharmaceutical companies and investigations of healthcare practices he deems deceptive or unsafe.
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Immigration & Border
Ken Paxton advocates aggressive enforcement-first border and immigration policies, including criminalizing illegal entry, supporting detention and removal of unauthorized immigrants, opposing DACA and sanctuary/local noncooperation, and suing NGOs and localities he alleges facilitate unlawful immigration. He has led legal actions and public campaigns to expand state enforcement authority and to block or reverse federal policies he views as permissive toward unauthorized migration.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Ken Paxton supports strict limits on abortion and has acted to defend and expand enforcement of Texas’s pro-life laws; he commemorated the overturning of Roe v. Wade and has sought to block or challenge policies and rulings that would expand abortion access or exceptions.
Climate & Energy
Ken Paxton has repeatedly challenged federal climate and green-energy regulations and taken legal action to protect fossil fuel production and exports. His office frames federal emissions rules, methane regulations, and renewable-focused grid mandates as unlawful federal overreach that threaten energy independence and economic interests. Paxton has also pursued litigation against financial firms and policies he says favor ‘green energy’ at the expense of traditional energy sources.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports broad Second Amendment protections, including constitutional/concealed-carry reciprocity and defending the right of licensed Texans to carry on public property; opposes local or federal firearm restrictions and has repeatedly sued or filed briefs to block firearm bans. Advocates policies to expand carry rights rather than new gun-control measures.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 24, 2026
Ken Paxton has just won the Texas Republican Senate nomination after defeating John Cornyn in the runoff, and the race is now moving into a competitive general election against Democrat James Talarico. Recent polling shows the contest tied, while Republicans are trying to unify behind Paxton even as Cornyn says he will not campaign for him. Paxton is also facing renewed scrutiny over his finances, voting history, and broader controversies, and his campaign has been challenged over a disputed rally attendance claim.
en.wikipedia.org+52
Articles
ESEUROPE SAYS3 days ago
Ken Paxton Is Ready to Answer Questions. Just Not Those Questions.
Negative
RSRaw Story9 days ago
Trump's revenge Senate pick caught inflating rally numbers
Negative
NNJ.com26 days ago
Trump’s staggering economy numbers could cost Republicans the Senate, new poll finds
Neutral
SSalon1 month ago
People keep voting for scandal-plagued candidates because they don't want the other party to win
Positive
Polls
Texas Republican Senate nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Texas Republican Senate nominee?
Endorsers of Ken Paxton for Texas Republican Senate nominee?
Donald Trump
Public figure
Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate runoff.
National Border Patrol Council
Public figure
The National Border Patrol Council endorsed Ken Paxton for Senate.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$9.2M
$6.9M
$4.6M
$2.3M
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$9.2M
$1.8M
$7.5M
$416.3K
Source: FEC