Paxton supporters praise God, call for unity against ‘dangerous radical leftist’
Before Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton spoke to supporters to celebrate his victory Tuesday night, his son-in-law Daniel Hayworth opened with a prayer, thanking God for the chance to send Paxton to Washington.
“We praise you for victory, but more than that, God, we praise you, because you haven’t forgotten this nation,” Hayworth said. “We ask that your hand of blessing would be upon Ken. We ask that your hand of blessing would be upon the campaign as they continue on to fight against James Talarico, who twists your word and spits upon your name for its own purposes.”
Hayworth spoke into the microphone while holding Paxton’s daughter’s hand, though she did not make any comments.
Paxton defeated incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn on Tuesday in the Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate. He’ll face Democrat James Talarico in November.
Conservative activist Sarah Gonzales also spoke to the election night crowd of roughly 250 in Plano, saying this win is only step one. Step two is winning the Nov. 3 election, Gonzales said. She praised Paxton for his work against the “islamification” of Texas and called Talarico “a very dangerous radical leftist.”
“James Talarico believes that God is nonbinary,” she said. “James Talarico believes that there are numerous genders. I don’t know, 5, 10, 15, 65, a million? You think that that is representative of the state of Texas?”
Congressman Brandon Gill, who represents parts of Cooke, Wise and Denton Counties, was the final speaker before Paxton was introduced. Gill said Paxton’s win means Republicans are finally going to take back the country.
“Now we’re at a point where it’s the Reds versus the Blues ... Now it’s time for Republicans to come together to unite to make sure that we send a Republican, Ken Paxton, to the Senate,” Gill said. “I don’t think that the people of Texas want to see James Talarico anywhere near Washington or anywhere near children.”
Paxton calls for more financial support, unity
Paxton called for party unity as he prepares to face Talarico.
Paxton said Talarico will be the most financially backed Democrat in the nation, but Texans cannot let him win. He is a threat to the state, Paxton said.
“My opponent is the most extreme radical Democrats have ever nominated,” Paxton said. “He’s even running a vegan campaign, whatever that is. He goes by a few names that you may all have heard of. Some people know him as Tofu Talarico, some people call him Six-Gender Jimmy. I’ve even heard some people call him James Talafreako.”
No matter the name, Talarico will dismantle everything Texans hold dear, Paxton said.
Republicans must keep Texas red, or else the nation will flip too, Paxton said. If he’s elected, Paxton said, he will never back down from fighting against the woke mob.
This win means the seat belongs to Texans, Paxton said
His victory in the primary runoff Tuesday sent a “Texas-sized message” to Washington, saying the state was not for sale, Paxton said.
Paxton greeted his supporters just after 8:30 p.m. as they chanted his name.
“I feel speechless in a way,” he said.
Paxton told supporters change was on the ballot on May 26 and change won. His win proves the seat belongs to Texans, not Washington, Paxton said.
One of the biggest rounds of cheers came when Paxton thanked President Donald Trump for his endorsement. Paxton said he is looking forward to working with Trump in the Senate to deliver for Texas.
The party must come together to keep Democrats from taking Texas, Paxton said. Talarico is a threat to Texas and will raise more money than any other Democrat in America, Paxton said, urging his supporters to donate to his campaign.
Paxton said if Texas is lost to Democrats, the nation is next.
“One thing I know about Texas: we’re not going to let them take it,” he said.
In a roughly eight-minute speech, Paxton dedicated two sentences to thanking his primary opponent, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, for serving Texas in Washington, D.C. Cornyn has been in the seat since 2002.
Early results showed Paxton in the lead
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 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.