Onstage, CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp told attendees, “It’s my honor … to say we officially endorse Ken Paxton,” pointing to Paxton’s perfect CPAC voting record and long track record of aligning with President Donald Trump on major political fights. For Paxton, the moment capped off a weekend in which he was the clear focal point of the conference, while Cornyn was nowhere to be found.

Cornyn skipped the annual gathering altogether, held just outside Dallas, even as Paxton headlined major events, huddled with supporters, drew long lines for photos, and held meet-and-greets. The contrast highlighted a central dynamic in the race: establishment backing versus grassroots energy, a divide that was visible throughout the conference.

The March 3 primary ended without a clear winner, sending Paxton and Cornyn into a late May runoff after neither secured a majority. Cornyn enters the next phase with significant institutional advantages, including deep ties in Washington, a sizable fundraising edge, and support from key GOP establishment figures, while Paxton has leaned into grassroots support to fuel his campaign.

By Saturday morning, that activity continued at a meet-and-greet inside the Gaylord Texan, where Paxton spoke with supporters, took questions, and posed for photos, offering a more direct window into how he is making his case to voters. His message centered heavily on election integrity, a theme that has become a cornerstone of his campaign.

“Mail-in ballots … they send them out by the millions, and we have no idea who’s voting,” Paxton said, criticizing what he described as vulnerabilities in the election system. “That shouldn’t be the way it is. We should know who’s voting. They can vote however they want, but we should verify who they are, that they are citizens, and that they are following our laws.”

That argument ties directly to Paxton’s alignment with Trump on the SAVE Act, a proposal that would impose stricter proof-of-citizenship requirements for voting. The bill is a top priority for the president, but has stalled in the Senate, where Republican leaders have resisted changing filibuster rules to advance it. 

Cornyn’s campaign has emphasized that the senator was an original co-sponsor of the legislation, even as he initially resisted calls to alter Senate rules to move it forward. Seizing on that divide, Paxton has blasted Cornyn as a “coward” and suggested he would consider stepping aside in the race if the measure became law. Days later, Cornyn shifted course, signaling openness to altering Senate rules and writing in an op-ed that he would support whatever changes were needed to move the legislation forward.

Speaking at CPAC’s Ronald Reagan dinner Friday night, Paxton sharpened that contrast, arguing Texas needs a senator more aligned with the party’s conservative base. “We need a Senate that takes care of us, not Washington, and we need a senator in Texas that acts more like Ted Cruz than John Cornyn,” Paxton said to the crowd.

If Paxton secures the nomination, it will likely be driven by the unwavering support of the GOP’s grassroots base, the same coalition that helped revive his political standing after he was impeached and later acquitted on corruption charges by the Texas legislature three years ago. That message, closely aligned with how Trump has characterized his own legal battles, was also front and center in Paxton’s remarks at the Ronald Reagan dinner Friday night.

“I am not going to resign. I don’t care what happens,” Paxton said, recalling the moment he told his legal team he would fight the charges rather than step aside. “We are going to fight this. Whatever happens, happens.” He described the trial as a defining test, noting that it unfolded publicly and under intense scrutiny before ending in his acquittal.

“The people of Texas had just elected me. I had won overwhelmingly,” he said. “This is wrong. We’re going to fight this.”

Paxton argued the experience reinforced his broader case for running for Senate, portraying himself as someone willing to take on political opponents and withstand the consequences, a framing echoed by supporters who cast him as a candidate who has faced the kind of “political persecution” often invoked by Trump and his allies and emerged stronger.

The runoff winner will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in November, setting up a closely watched general election that could draw national attention. Recent polling has added to Republican concerns, with a Democratic aligned survey finding Talarico narrowly leading both candidates in hypothetical matchups, fueling debate within GOP circles over electability.

Trump said weeks ago he would weigh in on the race with an endorsement, but has yet to follow through, while Paxton has continued to solidify his standing with the party’s right flank without needing Trump’s backing.

Some attendees pointed to Cornyn’s record as a reason for backing Paxton. “I’m going to support Ken Paxton. I’ve supported him for years,” said Michael Reaud, a 55-year-old boutique owner. “As far as John Cornyn, if I remember correctly, I think he’s gone against President Trump on a few things.” Reaud added that while his preference is clear, Trump’s eventual endorsement would still carry weight, saying, “I’ll support President Trump, whatever his decisions are.”

Others pointed to specific policy decisions. “After Uvalde, Cornyn chose to side with Democrats on gun control,” said Matthew Kingston, 26, of Lubbock. “That was the turning point for me. It showed he’s willing to compromise on core Second Amendment rights.”

Others were less flexible. “I just have a feeling that Ken Paxton is honest and conservative,” said Anne Diaz, a 64-year-old retiree from Georgetown, adding that even a Trump endorsement of Cornyn would not change her mind.

Still, not all Republicans have decided. Grapevine residents Xavier Heim, a commercial airline pilot, and Molly Sawyer, a flight attendant, said they are still weighing their options. “We thought we knew, and then we got some more information, and we’re doing our research,” Heim said. Sawyer added that her decision is focused on both policy and electability, saying, “I’m looking at what each candidate stands for and their track record, for how much they have followed through, and also who’s the best candidate to win in November.”

As @KenPaxtonTX greeted supporters Saturday, one attendee stood out in a “#TeamAngela” shirt — a nod to his wife’s recent divorce filing.

Asked about Paxton, Trimaan Malik, 30, took a jab: “I prefer attorneys general who are not always in scandals every five minutes.” pic.twitter.com/BV9xYEqsqe

— Samantha-Jo Roth (@SamanthaJoRoth) March 29, 2026

Not everyone engaging with the race at the conference was a Texas voter. As Paxton moved down the line of attendees posing for photos on Saturday morning, one stood out: a man wearing a “#TeamAngela” shirt, an apparent reference to his wife, Angela Paxton, who recently filed for divorce, citing infidelity.

The attendee, Trimaan Malik, a 30-year-old from Las Vegas, said he does not live in Texas and described the shirt as a joke, adding that Paxton did not appear to notice it until after the interaction. “I don’t even live in Texas,” Malik said. “I don’t have a dog in the fight.”

Asked about Paxton, Malik criticized the attorney general’s personal controversies. “I prefer attorneys general who are not always in scandals every five minutes,” he said.

Cornyn allies pushed back on Paxton’s attacks, arguing the senator’s record aligns closely with Trump and delivers results for Texas. “Senator Cornyn has voted with President Trump 99.3% of the time and is one of his most effective allies in the Senate,” said campaign adviser Matt Mackowiak in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner. “He has consistently delivered on conservative priorities, from confirming judges to advancing border security, and has the experience to be effective on day one.”

The National Republican Senatorial Committee also warned against nominating a candidate they view as more vulnerable in a general election. “When President Trump needed him most, Ken Paxton repeatedly went AWOL,” said NRSC communications director Joanna Rodriguez. “John Cornyn is the best candidate to beat radical James Talarico and hold this seat for Republicans. This race isn’t just about the primary, it’s about winning in November.”

Even Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is staying neutral in the race, noting he has worked with and previously supported both candidates. “The voters of Texas can make the choice who they trust to go and fight for their conservative values,” Cruz said in an interview with the Washington Examiner. 

Still, Cruz is urging caution about the general election. “Look, I have concerns about the general election,” he said. “Regardless of who wins the nomination, the two candidates have attacked each other relentlessly, and the hard Left is really energized.” He warned Republicans cannot take the state for granted, adding, “We’ve got a fight on our hands for November.”

CRUZ WARNS BRUISING CORNYN-PAXTON PRIMARY COULD TEST GOP IN TEXAS SENATE RACE

Taking the stage after the straw poll results, Paxton framed the moment as a sign of grassroots momentum, drawing applause from a crowd that had spent much of the weekend lining up to hear from him, shake his hand, and snap photos.

“It’s about the people of Texas wanting somebody that is going to represent them,” Paxton said. “Let’s get rid of the guy that represents Washington, and let’s put somebody in that represents Texas.”