Ken Paxton’s Super PAC Highlights Redistricting Efforts

A super PAC backing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s 2026 primary challenge against Republican Sen. John Cornyn is spotlighting Paxton’s involvement in Texas’s contentious redistricting battle. The Lone Star Liberty PAC has released a digital ad featuring cable news clips that emphasize Paxton’s attempts to locate Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a vote on new GOP-drafted congressional maps. These maps aim to add five more Republican-leaning districts in Texas. The ad also includes footage of Paxton advocating for the removal of certain legislators and receiving praise from conservative media figures. A notable image of Paxton with President Donald Trump, who remains neutral in the primary, is also featured.

Republican Strategy to Maintain House Majority

The Republican push in Texas is part of a broader national effort to retain the GOP’s slim House majority in the 2026 midterms. This initiative, encouraged by Trump, seeks to avoid a repeat of the 2018 midterms when Democrats regained control of the House. The redistricting battle has become a focal point in the GOP Senate primary, with both Cornyn and Paxton leveraging their resources to demonstrate their commitment to bolstering Republican seats in Congress.

Cornyn’s FBI Involvement and Paxton’s Investigations

Sen. Cornyn has actively sought FBI assistance in locating the absent Democratic lawmakers, resulting in approval from Director Kash Patel. Meanwhile, Paxton is investigating potential legal violations by political action committees linked to former Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke, accusing them of aiding the fleeing lawmakers. O’Rourke, who narrowly lost to Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018 and is contemplating a 2026 Senate run, has been vocal in his support for the Democrats’ actions.

Democratic Response and Potential Candidates

Texas state Sen. James Talarico and former Rep. Colin Allred are among Democrats supporting the fleeing lawmakers. Talarico has gained media attention since relocating to Illinois, while Allred, who has announced his candidacy for the Senate race, remains less prominent in the media landscape.