Paxton Ousts Cornyn

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, backed by President Trump, defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican Senate runoff after a bitter primary fight that cost Republicans more than $100 million. He will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in November.

1. Frame 1Texas Republican voters vote for Attorney General Ken Paxton over four-term Sen. John Cornyn in the Senate runoff.
2. Frame 2Trump backed Paxton late, after Cornyn allies spent heavily to save the incumbent in a primary fight topping $100 million.
3. Frame 3The result turns Paxton from challenger into the GOP nominee for a U.S. Senate seat Republicans expect to defend.
4. Frame 4Paxton now faces Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in November, making Texas a national Senate-control test.
5. Frame 5Next pressure point: whether Republicans reunite after Cornyn’s loss and a scandal-heavy campaign.