In a display of enthusiastic support, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was warmly received by grassroots activists at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday. Paxton is currently embroiled in a heated battle in what is being touted as the most expensive Senate primary in history, challenging incumbent Sen. John Cornyn.
This year’s CPAC conference took place in Grapevine, a suburb of Dallas, Texas, underscoring the significance of the upcoming election. Both Paxton and Cornyn were extended invitations to the event, but only Paxton accepted, taking the stage to address the conference attendees.
Following his speech to the energized conservative audience on Friday night, Paxton spent Saturday morning engaging with voters, sharing his optimism with the Daily Mail. “I feel great,” he expressed. “I’ve run a lot of races in Texas, competitive races. And this one just has a good feel to it right now. We’re definitely moving in the right direction.”
Paxton, at 63, is campaigning against the 74-year-old Cornyn, who has served in the Senate for over two decades and is seeking a fifth term. The race is closely watched, given the high stakes and the substantial political experience of both candidates.
Adding another layer to the political intrigue, Paxton disclosed that he had a meeting with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Friday. Trump, however, has yet to throw his support behind any candidate in this fiercely contested primary.
Paxton confirmed he met with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, who has so far resisted endorsing a candidate in the hotly contested race.
He said the meeting with Trump was ‘great,’ and that while Trump’s endorsement was important, he was not about to pressure him.
‘A Donald Trump endorsement is the most valuable endorsement I’ve ever seen, you’d be crazy not to want it,’ he said. ‘I want him to do the best for him and the country, whatever that is.’
AG Ken Paxton speaks at the Ronald Reagan Dinner on Friday night at the 2026 CPAC convention
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, is trying to save his seat, running for a fifth term
Over $100 million in ads have been run in the race as Paxton and Cornyn competed in a three-way race with Republican Congressman Wesley Hunt in March. Paxton and Cornyn now face each other in the runoff election on May 26.
Paxton appeared encouraged by his support at the conference.
‘These people aren’t going to come out for John Cornyn, they’re not excited about John Cornyn. We need someone that will generate energy,’ he said. ‘John, honestly, has no energy.’
The winner of the primary will face Democratic nominee State Representative James Talarico in November.
CPAC chairman Matt Schlapp told the Daily Mail he was disappointed that Cornyn did not come to the conference.
‘I think the fact that he didn’t come demonstrates his weakness, I think,’ he said in an interview. ‘I guess that’s his choice.’
Paxton was a ‘fighter,’ Schlapp said, which understandably thrilled Trump supporters in the state.
U.S. President Donald Trump has resisted endorsing a candidate in the race
The winner of the primary fight will face Democratic U.S. Senate candidate for Texas, James Talarico
‘Someone has to go in there and have the courage to do what Trump did in the White House, which is break things and make people uncomfortable,’ he said. ‘Fight like hell.’
Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist for President Trump, told the Daily Mail that Paxton’s victory would electrify conservatives in the state.
‘It’s so huge,’ he said, calling for an ‘all hands on deck’ election for the grassroots activists in Texas.
Brian, 58, from Texas said he was disappointed in Cornyn’s attack ads against Paxton calling the campaign ‘misleading.’
He said he would support Paxton in the primary.
‘He’s not my savior, he’s a politician and he’s a fighter,’ he said.
