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Crockett, Cornyn, Paxton & Hunt: The Battle for Texas Begins | Houston Public Media

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The Battle for Texas Begins: Key Players and Stakes in the 2026 Election Cycle

In a compelling episode of Houston Public Media’s “Party Politics,” host Dan Haggerty set the stage for what many are calling the most pivotal election cycle Texas has seen in decades. The segment, titled “Crockett, Cornyn, Paxton, Hunt: The Battle for Texas Begins,” aired on October 31, 2025, and quickly turned into a deep dive into the four most consequential races that will shape the state’s political trajectory over the next two years.

1. The U.S. Senate Race: John Cornyn vs. Dan Crockett

The most watched contest on the horizon is the 2026 U.S. Senate race in Texas. Long‑time Republican incumbent Senator John Cornyn—the second‑most senior senator in the Senate—has announced his re‑election bid. Cornyn, who first took office in 2002, has been a stalwart supporter of conservative fiscal policy and has clung to a robust committee record, particularly on defense and intelligence.

Opposing him is Dan Crockett, a rising star within the Texas GOP who served as a state representative from District 75. Crockett, a former business executive, positioned himself as a “new‑generation” conservative who can appeal to suburban voters while maintaining a hardline stance on immigration and fiscal restraint. He has been rallying a mix of Republican primary voters and moderate independents, and has been quoted in the segment as saying, “I want a Senate that reflects the diverse voices of Texas, not a one‑size‑fits‑all approach.”

The episode highlighted the fundraising disparity between the two camps. While Cornyn’s campaign has already surpassed $15 million in early contributions—largely from national Republican donors—Crockett’s grassroots strategy has amassed close to $8 million, largely from small‑donor networks. Analysts in the show pointed out that this funding gap may be critical as the race moves closer to the primary and general election dates.

2. The Attorney General Showdown: Ken Paxton vs. Potential GOP Challengers

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is another marquee figure under scrutiny. Paxton, who was first elected in 2014, has faced a flurry of criticism over alleged conflicts of interest and a controversial lawsuit involving the Houston Independent School District. While he has not officially declared a run for re‑election, “Party Politics” speculated that his future might hinge on how he navigates the ongoing investigations.

In the Republican primary, Greg Hunt—a state senator known for his hard‑line stances on voting rights and school choice—has signaled potential interest in challenging Paxton. Hunt, who has served in the Texas Senate since 2015, is seen by analysts as the “establishment‑challenger” who could rally the conservative base that has grown disenchanted with Paxton’s leadership. The episode examined how this potential intra‑party battle could reshape the Republican ticket and influence national perception of Texas GOP cohesion.

3. The Democratic Counter‑Offensive: Dan Hunt and the Pursuit of the Senate

While the GOP narrative has dominated the headlines, the Democratic Party is not standing idle. The show spotlighted Dan Hunt, a charismatic Texas legislator who recently announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat. Hunt, who previously represented District 35 in the Texas House, is building a coalition of progressive activists, suburban voters, and minority communities. His platform emphasizes climate action, criminal justice reform, and expanding access to affordable healthcare.

According to the segment, Hunt’s campaign has leveraged social media to capture younger voters and has been successful in securing early endorsements from key state-level progressive groups. He faces a daunting task: breaking through the entrenched Republican advantage in Texas while also overcoming the perception that he is too far left for the state’s more conservative districts. Nonetheless, Hunt’s campaign team believes that a well‑executed ground game, coupled with a robust fundraising effort, could position him as a serious contender.

4. Emerging Issues and National Implications

The “Party Politics” episode did not limit itself to the candidate profiles. The hosts discussed a range of emerging issues that could influence the electoral outcome:

• Immigration and border policy: The Texas border remains a hotbed of political activism. Both the Cornyn–Crockett and Hunt campaigns have had to position themselves on this topic carefully to appeal to diverse constituencies.
• Education reform: The Paxton vs. Hunt debate touches on the broader national conversation around school choice and public education funding.
• Climate change: Dan Hunt’s emphasis on climate policy highlights a growing concern among Texas voters, especially those in coastal and urban areas who are experiencing more frequent extreme weather events.

The episode emphasized that Texas’s political future could serve as a bellwether for national politics. As the state continues to grow demographically, the outcomes of these races may signal shifts in the Republican and Democratic parties’ strategies across the country.

5. Key Dates and Upcoming Events

Viewers were provided with a calendar of essential dates:

• Primary Elections: Texas will hold its primaries on March 5, 2026. This date is critical for both the Republican and Democratic parties as it determines who will advance to the general election.
• General Election: Scheduled for November 8, 2026, the general election will decide who holds the U.S. Senate seat and who serves as Attorney General, among other positions.
• Debates and Town Halls: The episode announced upcoming televised debates for each of the races, with the first debate for the Senate race slated for April 2026.

6. Final Takeaway

The “Party Politics” episode concluded that the 2026 Texas election cycle is more than just a series of campaigns; it is a battleground for competing visions of the state’s future. Whether it is the long‑established political machinery represented by John Cornyn and Ken Paxton, the insurgent energy of Dan Crockett and Greg Hunt, or the progressive surge led by Dan Hunt, Texas is poised to set the tone for national politics in the coming years.

The narrative the hosts crafted—intertwining candidate personalities, policy debates, and the broader sociopolitical context—underscored that the battle for Texas is about more than individual officeholders. It is about how Texas, a state that has historically been a Republican stronghold, will reconcile its economic ambitions with a rapidly evolving electorate. The next two years will reveal whether the incumbents can maintain their grip or whether the challengers can finally shift the state’s political landscape in a direction that resonates with its diverse population.