Last night, something happened in Texas that has never happened before.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, defeating four-term Senator John Cornyn — making Cornyn the first Republican senator from Texas to lose his party’s nomination for reelection. Let that sink in. Twenty-four years in the Senate. A man who has never lost an election in Texas. Gone. Defeated in a primary runoff by a candidate who refused to bow to the establishment, refused to back down, and refused to let the political class in Washington decide what is best for Texas.
I congratulate Ken Paxton wholeheartedly. And I want to tell you exactly why this matters — not just for the Senate race, but for every conservative running in Texas in 2026.
What Happened Last Night
Paxton was endorsed by President Donald Trump last week, and his victory in Tuesday’s runoff makes Cornyn the first Republican senator from Texas to lose the party’s nomination for reelection.
This was not supposed to happen. The political establishment in Washington had lined up behind John Cornyn. The money was behind Cornyn. The consultants, the lobbyists, the career political class — all of them backed the incumbent. And yet, Texas Republicans chose differently.
Paxton was out to an early lead, and the Associated Press called the race within an hour of polling places closing. This was not a close race. This was a statement.
Texas Republicans looked at John Cornyn’s 24-year career and said: we want something different. We want someone who fights. We want someone who, when the establishment comes after him — and they did come after him — does not fold. Does not compromise. Does not cut a deal to save himself.
Ken Paxton is that person.
Why This Win Is Personal For Me
I am not a career politician. I am a Texas trailblazer attorney, CEO of Orange Law, and a Republican grassroots leader who got married, built a life in Texas, and decided that if I wanted my state to be better, I needed to stop watching from the sidelines and start fighting from the inside.
Everything that drove Ken Paxton to challenge a four-term incumbent senator is the same thing that drives me as a Republican grassroots leader. The sense that our government has drifted too far from the people it is supposed to serve. The frustration of watching property taxes crush Texas families while politicians in Austin and Washington talk about fiscal conservatism without actually practicing it. The anger at a political establishment that answers to donors and lobbyists instead of the hardworking men and women who built this state.
Ken Paxton has spent his career in the line of fire for conservative values. He fought the Biden administration. He fought overreach at every level of the federal government. He survived a bipartisan impeachment attempt — driven by people who wanted to silence him — and came out the other side stronger. Last night, Texas Republicans rewarded that fighting spirit with the most powerful political endorsement they can give: their vote.
That means something. It means Texas Republicans are not interested in comfortable, consensus candidates who play it safe in Washington. They want fighters. They want leaders who will go to Washington and actually do what they promised to do.
What Comes Next
The winner between Cornyn and Paxton will face Democratic nominee James Talarico, an Austin-area state representative and former San Antonio teacher who won his primary bid.
Let me be direct about James Talarico. He is a smart, well-funded, well-organized candidate who will run an aggressive general election campaign. He will have the full weight of the national Democratic Party and its donors behind him. He will try to make this race competitive. And if Texas conservatives are complacent — if we assume that Texas is automatically going to stay red without putting in the work — he will make it competitive.
We cannot let that happen.
This Senate seat is too important. The balance of the United States Senate is too important. Every issue that matters to Texas conservatives — border security, lower taxes, energy independence, the Second Amendment, the right to life — depends on Republicans holding the Senate majority. And holding the Texas Senate seat is essential to holding that majority.
The general election starts today. Not in September. Not in October. Today.
What I Am Asking You to Do
First — celebrate. Last night was a genuine victory for the conservative movement in Texas and a sign that the grassroots still has the power to reshape our party when we engage. Celebrate that.
Then — get to work.
If you supported Ken Paxton in the primary, keep supporting him through November. If you supported Senator Cornyn and are disappointed by last night’s result, I ask you — respectfully but directly — to unite behind our nominee. The stakes in November are too high for division. James Talarico and the Democrats are already united and already organizing. We need to be too.
Here is how you can help:
Volunteer. Ken Paxton’s campaign will need thousands of volunteers across Texas to knock on doors, make phone calls, and turn out voters in November. Get involved.
Donate. The general election will be expensive. Paxton needs the resources to compete against the national Democratic machine. Contribute what you can.
Spread the word. Share this post. Talk to your neighbors, your church community, your coworkers. The most powerful form of political persuasion is still one neighbor talking to another.
Show up in November. Everything comes down to turnout. Mark your calendar. November 3, 2026. Be there.
Conservatives — It Is Time to Unite
The same values that drove Texas Republicans to choose Ken Paxton last night — lower taxes, fiscal accountability, smaller government, an end to Washington-style waste and corruption — are the values every conservative in this state must now rally behind.
If you believe in the Texas I believe in — a Texas where families keep more of what they earn, where government is transparent and accountable, where our border is secure and our freedoms are protected — then get behind Ken Paxton now. Volunteer. Donate. Spread the word.
We are building a conservative Texas that works for every Texan. Not just the wealthy. Not just the well-connected. Every Texan.
Congratulations, Ken Paxton.
Let’s go win this thing.
Karan Joshi is a Texas trailblazer attorney, CEO of Orange Law, and Republican grassroots leader fighting for Texas families. Learn more and join the movement at joshifortexas.com.
Paid for by the Karan Joshi Campaign. Committed to securing our border, lowering property taxes, and fighting corruption in Austin.
