Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Thursday he is pulling his negative advertisements against Sen. John Cornyn in the final days before their bruising GOP primary runoff for Texas' Senate seat, a move that reveals the MAGA-aligned incumbent's confidence heading into next week's election.

The race has intensified divisions between the party's establishment and Trump-backed factions. Texas GOP Chair Abraham George had publicly urged both candidates to end their feud out of concern for party unity ahead of the general election fight against Democratic nominee James Talarico.

What the Left Is Saying

Progressive groups see an opening in a potential Paxton nomination, arguing his legal troubles and personal scandals make him vulnerable in November. Democrats note that Paxton's history includes an impeachment attempt by the state legislature, ethics complaints from his own staff, a federal securities fraud investigation, and an ongoing divorce filed on what his wife described as "biblical grounds."

Democratic operatives have pointed to internal Republican concerns about needing $100 million or more to defend a Paxton nominee against a general election challenge in traditionally Republican Texas. Progressives argue that voters will have clear contrast between Talarico and a candidate with Paxton's record.

"We welcome the opportunity to make this race about Ken Paxton's actual record," said one Democratic strategist familiar with the state party strategy, speaking on background to discuss campaign plans.

What the Right Is Saying

Cornyn responded that he will not reciprocate Paxton's gesture, arguing that voters deserve to know about his opponent's controversies. In posts on X, Cornyn wrote that Paxton is "desperate to avoid accountability" and pledged to continue highlighting what he called "the truth about Paxton."

"He's escaped accountability for too long," Cornyn posted. "Judgment day is coming." The senator specifically pointed to reporting by the Texas Tribune about a plea deal Paxton's office offered to a man facing sexual abuse charges, reportedly offering one day in prison with no sex offender registry placement.

Some Republican strategists have expressed concern that the primary fighting will suppress turnout and damage down-ballot candidates. Others argue Cornyn's approach is necessary given what they describe as existential stakes for Texas if Paxton becomes the nominee. A Super PAC supporting Paxton, Lone Star Liberty, announced Tuesday it was also pulling negative advertisements.

Texas GOP Chair George said he appreciated both campaigns' recent moves but stressed that party unity remains critical for the fall contest.

What the Numbers Show

Cornyn finished narrowly ahead of Paxton in the March primary with approximately 41% of the vote to Paxton's 38%, according to results reported by the Texas Secretary of State. However, Trump's endorsement of Paxton after the first round has shifted the race's dynamics significantly.

Paxton's campaign wrote on X that it had begun adjusting television ad traffic Thursday morning to ensure "our campaign ends on a positive note." The attorney general called on Cornyn to do the same "for the good of our party."

Republicans familiar with internal polling have told Politico that Paxton now holds a narrow but consistent lead. Party strategists estimate that defending a Paxton nomination in November could cost $100 million or more, compared to typical Senate defense spending of $40-60 million in Texas.

Early voting begins Monday ahead of the May 26 runoff election date.

The Bottom Line

The ad truce marks a tactical shift by Paxton's campaign but does little to heal the underlying fractures exposed during this primary. Whether it will be enough for party unity remains unclear as both campaigns prepare for what could be one of the most expensive Senate primaries in recent history.

For Texas Republicans, the stakes extend beyond March and May. If Paxton clinches the nomination, national Republicans have signaled they are prepared to spend heavily to protect a historically red seat. If Cornyn pulls off an upset, it would represent a significant victory for the party establishment over Trump-aligned candidates, with implications for primaries across the country.

The outcome will determine whether Texas' Senate seat remains safe or becomes a competitive battleground in November.