Paxton supporters celebrate as US Senate race is called at Plano watch party
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s supporters celebrated early Tuesday night when Fox News showed Paxton ahead in the race for the U.S. Senate primary runoff election. In the first batch of counted ballots, Paxton led incumbent Sen. John Cornyn by 10 percentage points.
With 49% of the votes counted, Fox News called the race a win for Paxton at 8:02 p.m. He led Cornyn 62.5% to 37.5%, per Fox News. Supporters immediately met the news with cheers and whistles while Jump by Van Halen played over the speakers, followed by CCR’s Fortunate Son.
At 7:50 p.m., Governor Greg Abbott congratulated Paxton on his win. Only about 17% of statewide polling locations reporting. At the time, Paxton led Cornyn by 26 percentage points.
Doors opened to watch party guests at 6 p.m. The election night party, hosted by Lone Star Liberty PAC, featured upbeat country music, the Fox News live broadcast projection and 8-foot-long Texas and American flags.
By about 7:45 p.m., the room had filled out with supporters eager to see the race called in Paxton’s favor.
Guests were decked out in red, white and blue, if not the American flag itself.
Plano resident Terry Wade was one of the first to Paxton’s party donned in the Stars and Stripes. She said she’s watched Paxton’s career since the start and has seen him grow into the “warrior for Texas” he is.
Wade said Paxton would be an alpha man on Capitol Hill if elected. She thanked Cornyn for the two decades he spent in office, but said it’s time for a change. Paxton has nationwide recognition that will serve him well in D.C., Wade said.
This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 7:26 PM.