Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has positioned himself as the grassroots favorite in the runoff election to determine the party's Senate nominee.
Select breaking news story 2 of 3Strong winds, high surf, and elevated fire risk threaten northeast Florida, southeast Georgia this weekendRead full article: Fatal hit-and-run on Atlantic Blvd. kills bicyclist; JSO seeking dark sedanSJSO investigating dead body found along rocks at Old A1A St.
Johns County deputies investigating dead body found along rocks at Old A1A near Gene Johnson Road Read full article: St. Johns County deputies investigating dead body found along rocks at Old A1A near Gene Johnson RoadTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the Ronald Reagan dinner during the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Friday, March 27, 2026. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the Ronald Reagan dinner during the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Friday, March 27, 2026. Sen. John Cornyn R-Texas walks through the Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill on Friday, March 20, 2026, in Washington. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the Ronald Reagan dinner during the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Friday, March 27, 2026. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the Ronald Reagan dinner during the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Friday, March 27, 2026. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the Ronald Reagan dinner during the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Friday, March 27, 2026. After meeting with supporters behind closed doors, Paxton crowned the day by standing before thousands as the keynote speaker at the Ronald Reagan dinner.“I want you to know, there’s only one reason I got through all that, and it’s by the grace of God,” he said Friday night as a wave of applause rolled through the hall. “He absolutely delivered me, and he used to people of Texas to deliver me." If Paxton is going to win the Republican nomination, it will be because of support in rooms like this one. He is in a bitter runoff with Sen. John Cornyn after neither won enough votes inAlthough Cornyn has raised far more money and is backed by the party establishment in Washington, Paxton’s well-honed survival skills and rock-solid foundation withWhile Cornyn did not attend CPAC, which was held at a resort and convention center near Dallas, Paxton was extolled by speakers throughout the day. “Ken Paxton is emblematic of the grassroots of the MAGA movement across the nation,” Steve Bannon, a former Trump adviser who hosts the “War Room” podcast, said referring to Trump's “Make America Great Again” slogan that originated in his 2016 campaign. Earlier Friday, CPAC senior fellow Mercedes Schlapp polled the crowd. Asking for a show of support for Paxton, there was a roar of cheers. When she asked about Cornyn, there was a light ripple of boos. Cornyn finished first in the primary, which also featured U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt. There were briefly concerns among Paxton's supporters that Trump would back the incumbent. That would have come as a relief to party leaders, who view Cornyn as stronger candidate against Democratic nominee But Paxton appealed to Trump by embracing legislation known as the SAVE Act, which would mean new, strict proof-of-citizenship requirements for voting. The proposal is a priority for Trump, but it hasJoe Ropar, a 72-year-old defense contractor who attended CPAC, said Paxton's move was “brilliant." Although Cornyn later said he was willing to change filibuster rules, Ropar believed Paxton had demonstrated stronger loyalty to Trump.Paxton has another political connection with Trump: They both have portrayed themselves as the victims of political persecution. While Paxton was impeached and acquitted once, Trump went through the process twice during his first term. James Schaare, a 61-year-old church music leader from Euless, Texas, said that perseverance shows Paxton is the right choice.Some conservative Republicans hold other grudges against Cornyn. They remember his early criticism of Trump's proposal for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border in 2016, his co-sponsoring of gun control legislation after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022, and his dismissive remarks about Trump's comeback campaign in 2024. Retired music teacher Valerie Burge, 58, said she voted for Cornyn in the primary because of his long service.Barbara Palmer, a 65-year-old lawyer, said Cornyn had simply been in office for too long. He has been a judge, state supreme court justice and state attorney general, and now he wants a fifth term as senator.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Flagler College students protest housing policy as seniors cite affordability, availability concernsGAME DAY ⚾🦐 The defending Triple-A National Champion Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp returnShould an HOA or property management company be required to post parking rules for visitors?Fights erupt at Palatka Junior-Senior High after field trip focused on mental healthMother of teen punched during arrest says officer went too far⚾️ Opening Day + perfect weather=the ultimate Friday night in JaxStudy finds most ‘Mayport Shrimp’ dishes served in Jacksonville area are actually importedNew ‘larger format’ Publix store in SilverLeaf features wine bar, expanded deli menu, custom pizzasFamily of A’hmari Robinson shares stories at candlelight vigil days after his deathGetting ready for the next GROW ROUND! 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Ronald Reagan Wesley Hunt Valerie Burge Donald Trump Barbara Palmer Joe Ropar John Cornyn Washington News James Talarico Mercedes Schlapp Stephen Bannon Politics James Schaare Ken Paxton
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