Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is considering a primary challenge against Sen. John Cornyn in what could be a high-profile proxy war between the two opposing wings of the state’s GOP.

Paxton said in a Fox News interview that he was considering a run for Cornyn’s Senate seat in Texas in 2026. He spoke with several groups in Texas and said a decision would be likely within the next couple of months.

This would further highlight the ongoing split within the Texas Republican Party, as hard-liners and establishment members fight for power.

Brendan Steinhauser was the Republican strategist who led Cornyn’s 2014 campaign. It doesn’t mean that they have more legislators in the [state] Legislature, but the zeitgeist of the Republican Party is clearly conservative and pro-Trump.

Paxton’s announcement is not surprising to anyone in Texas politics. He has been rumored for months, and even years, that he could run for the Senate. It would also come after an ongoing back-and forth between Paxton and Cornyn who is seeking his fifth term as a senator.

Paxton has referred to Cornyn’s “RINO” status, an acronym that right-leaning Republicans have used against moderate or mainstream Republicans. He has attacked the incumbent on issues such as his support of sending additional aid into Ukraine to repel Russia’s invasion, and his bipartisan efforts to pass a bill to control guns following the shooting in Uvalde Elementary School 2022.

Cornyn has also criticized Paxton for his record as well as the controversies he’s been involved in during his tenure as Attorney General.

Cornyn said that Paxton “pushed Russian propaganda” after he criticized Cornyn for his support of aid to Ukraine. Cornyn claimed that Paxton “would stay awake all night to protect other countries’ border, but not America.”

Paxton has argued that he is a closer and more loyal ally of the president than Cornyn. Paxton has claimed that he is a more loyal and close ally to the president than Cornyn.

Cornyn responded by pointing out the legal problems that Paxton has been facing, saying, “Hard to escape prison, Ken.”

Paxton was charged with securities fraud in 2015, during his first year as a legislator. Allegations were made that, while serving in the legislature, he solicited investment for a company that makes server equipment without disclosing to investors that this company was paying him. Paxton denied all accusations and pleaded not guilt.

Paxton’s trial was repeatedly postponed, but he finally reached an agreement with prosecutors to avoid any further proceedings by paying $300,000 in 2024 and performing community service.

Paxton called for Cornyn to be challenged in a primary election, but it now appears that he might do it himself. Fox News reported that Paxton had called for several Republicans to be challenged because they were not conservative enough. The senior Texas Senator was among them.

A Paxton aide told The Hill the attorney general would be travelling across the state in order to meet donors and voters, to better understand how he could best serve Texas.

The Hill reached out to Cornyn’s spokesperson for comment.

Texas Republicans say Paxton is likely to enter what could be a grudge-match between two candidates who represent opposing wing of the party.

Vinny Michillo, a GOP strategist, said that “if you attend the county Republican Party meeting in your area there is a loud belief that Cornyn is not conservative enough.” “I don’t think that people have forgiven him because he made the gun rights deal years ago. Many people thought it was good, but the grassroots did not like it.”

Cornyn has some advantages, which would make him the favorite to win the race.

Steinhauser stated that Cornyn’s 2014 campaign “certainly” heard the frustrations and criticisms of some Republican primary voters. However, he won easily with 60 percent in a primary contest against then-Rep. Steve Stockman.

He cited Cornyn’s victories in his last two elections. This included in 2020 when Democrats expressed hopes for an upset.

“He has never lost a race.” Steinhauser stated that Steinhauser never took a vote as a given. “His team is with him for a long time. He’s one of those guys who’s hardworking, smart and doesn’t make many mistakes.”

Minchillo stated that Paxton had never faced a contentious, close race in his career with an opponent who was able to “dump [the opposition] book on.”

He said that Cornyn was not afraid to fire at the targets.

Paxton, however, has faced electoral challenges before. He was elected attorney general three different times. His most recent election as attorney-general came in 2022 when he had to face a primary challenge by then-Land Commission George P. Bush, a member of the Bush family, which dominated Texas politics over decades.

In 2023, he also defeated an attempt to remove him from office when he won acquittal on 16 counts of Impeachment stemming from allegations that his office was misused to benefit a developer. The impeachment of his state House colleagues and the trial that followed in the Senate were seen by many as a proxy war within the Republican Party. House Republicans voted overwhelmingly to impeach the man, while most Senate Republicans voted for the acquittal.

Gov. Greg Abbott (R), and Lt. Dan Patrick (R), as well as Lt. Gov. Cornyn, both stood up for Paxton.

Charlie Kolean, a Republican strategist, said that he believed the conservatives had the momentum in their battle for the party. This gave Paxton the chance to beat Cornyn. He said Cornyn was associated with the establishment, while Paxton positioned himself as an “innovator” and close Trump ally.

He added that if Cornyn made a “mistake”, Trump might be willing to endorse Paxton.

Kolean asked: “You can see that the Bush faction has been in control of Texas for many, many years. How much resistance will they be able to put up?” “I don’t believe their statewide apparatus used to be as strong as it once was.” I think that they have been losing their influence.”

Last month, the establishment won a victory with the election to state