Paxton STORMS CPAC—Cornyn Skips—What’s He Hiding?

Person wearing a red Make America Great Again hat.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton emerged as the MAGA grassroots champion at CPAC 2026, signaling a potential upset against establishment-backed Sen. John Cornyn in a runoff that exposes deep fractures within the Republican Party over who truly represents conservative voters.

Story Snapshot

CPAC activists in Grapevine, Texas rallied behind AG Ken Paxton as their Senate choice over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the May 26 runoff
Paxton keynoted the Ronald Reagan dinner at the conservative gathering while Cornyn skipped the event, highlighting the establishment versus grassroots divide
Despite Cornyn’s financial advantages and primary win, Paxton’s MAGA base enthusiasm and SAVE Act support position him as the ideological favorite
The bitter intra-party battle reflects broader conservative frustrations with D.C. establishment politicians who fail to deliver on core promises

MAGA Base Chooses Paxton Over Establishment Pick

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton received a hero’s welcome at the 2026 Conservative Political Action Conference in Grapevine on March 28, cementing his position as the MAGA movement’s preferred candidate in the Republican Senate runoff. Paxton delivered the keynote address at the Ronald Reagan dinner and held private meetings with grassroots supporters who view him as the authentic conservative alternative to Sen. John Cornyn. The warm reception demonstrates significant base enthusiasm despite Cornyn finishing first in the March 3 primary and holding substantial financial advantages heading into the May 26 runoff.

CPAC activists embrace Paxton as MAGA's choice for Texas Senate over Cornyn https://t.co/rozIjJxFSo

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) March 28, 2026

Establishment Money Versus Grassroots Energy

Senator Cornyn maintained his establishment edge with superior fundraising and backing from Washington D.C. GOP leadership, but his decision to skip CPAC proved telling. Cornyn cited duties related to the SAVE Act as his reason for absence, yet the proof-of-citizenship voting requirement remains a Trump priority that Paxton actively championed to appeal to both the base and the former president. Cornyn-aligned super PACs spent over eight million dollars on advertisements targeting Paxton’s legal challenges by August 2025, attempting to close polling gaps that showed Paxton leading by double digits in early surveys.

Constitutional Conservatives Rally Behind Fighter

CPAC attendees embraced Paxton as the clear grassroots choice, valuing his willingness to challenge federal overreach and fight legal battles that establishment Republicans often avoid. Paxton’s survival through various legal and ethical challenges actually strengthened his appeal among conservatives who view such attacks as politically motivated persecution by the establishment. The Attorney General’s support for the SAVE Act directly addresses conservative concerns about election integrity, a issue that resonates deeply with voters frustrated by what they perceive as lax citizenship verification requirements. This positions Paxton as aligned with constitutional principles while Cornyn appears more focused on maintaining D.C. relationships.

The runoff creates significant implications for Texas Republicans heading into the general election against Democrat James Talarico. Party establishment figures worry that a fractured primary could weaken the eventual nominee, though they generally view Cornyn as the stronger general election candidate due to his fundraising capacity and statewide name recognition. However, MAGA activists argue that base enthusiasm matters more than establishment money, pointing to recent elections where grassroots energy overcame financial disadvantages. The race tests whether the populist conservative movement can successfully challenge sitting Republican senators who fail to fully embrace America First priorities.

Trump Factor Looms Over May Runoff

President Trump’s potential endorsement represents the wildcard that could definitively tip the scales in this intra-party battle. Paxton strategically positioned himself by vocally supporting the SAVE Act, easing concerns among his supporters that Trump might back Cornyn’s establishment credentials. The former Attorney General’s alliance with Trump-aligned policies contrasts sharply with Cornyn’s history of occasionally breaking with the MAGA agenda on key votes. Texas Governor Greg Abbott and state Senator Bryan Hughes also appeared at CPAC, though their positions in the Senate race remain carefully calibrated to avoid alienating either Republican faction before the runoff concludes.

CPAC activists embrace Paxton as MAGA's choice for Texas Senate over Cornyn https://t.co/gjy2bdUKrw

— KTEN News (@KTENnews) March 28, 2026

Conservative voters face a clear choice between competing visions of Republican representation. Cornyn offers institutional experience, fundraising prowess, and relationships with Senate leadership that theoretically deliver legislative results. Paxton promises unwavering commitment to constitutional principles, aggressive challenges to federal overreach, and authentic representation of grassroots conservative values over D.C. establishment priorities. The May 26 runoff outcome will signal whether Texas Republicans prioritize electability calculations or ideological authenticity, with national implications for how the party responds to challenges from its own base going forward.