Ken Paxton
Republican candidate for U.S. Senator, Texas · Open seat
Texas Attorney General
Attorney general since 2015 after 10 years in the Texas House and two in the Texas Senate. Won the May 26 Republican runoff over Sen. John Cornyn with 63.8% after President Trump endorsed him. He was impeached by the Texas House in 2023 and acquitted on all charges by the Texas Senate. Did not answer the Texas Tribune questionnaire, so positions below come from his past public statements.
Where Paxton stands
- Gas tax
- Supports permanently repealing the federal gas tax and keeping oil and gas regulation low to raise production.
- Data centers
- Supports efficient water use, having the industry pay its own infrastructure costs, ending state sales tax breaks, and keeping facilities away from homes.
- Iran and war powers
- Backs the president's actions on Iran; says he will decide on funding after getting more intelligence.
- Border wall in Big Bend
- Called the plans "not smart border security" and welcomed the August pause.
- Gender care for minors
- Opposes it; as attorney general he extended the state ban to mental health providers.
- Marijuana and hemp
- Has sued Dallas over marijuana decriminalization; no direct comment found on Texas THC rules.
Background
- Texas Attorney General, 2015–present
- Texas Senate, 2 years
- Texas House, 10 years (McKinney area)
In the news
- Ken Paxton says he would debate James Talarico in Texas Senate race 'if the terms were right' Washington Times, October 22, 2026
- Texas Republicans are refusing to debate for the election Texas Tribune, October 7, 2026
Also running for U.S. Senator
- James Talarico Democratic
- Ted Brown Libertarian
Sources
- Texas Tribune: Paxton, Talarico and Brown on the issues (Oct 13, 2026)
- Wikipedia: 2026 U.S. Senate election in Texas
Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.