Fox News host Bill Hemmer highlighted the significance of Tuesday night’s Texas Republican Senate primary, where Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in a decisive victory after receiving President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
Speaking on Sean Hannity’s program, Hemmer pointed to Trump’s growing influence in Republican primaries, arguing that the president’s endorsements have continued to produce strong results across the country.
Hemmer noted that Trump has backed numerous Republican candidates for governor, House, and Senate races, saying his endorsements have consistently translated into victories. He described Paxton’s win as another example of Trump’s influence among Republican voters.
The Fox News anchor also emphasized the financial imbalance in the race, saying Cornyn significantly outspent Paxton. According to Hemmer, Cornyn’s campaign spent more than $90 million, while Paxton spent roughly $10 million, yet Paxton still secured a commanding lead in the primary.
Hemmer predicted that the Texas Senate race could become one of the most expensive in U.S. history. He compared the expected spending to the 2020 Georgia Senate contests, which drew hundreds of millions of dollars from campaigns and outside groups. With Republicans determined to hold their Senate majority and Democrats targeting the seat, Hemmer said the November election is expected to attract massive financial support from both parties.
Following Paxton’s victory, Republicans will face Democratic nominee James Talarico in the general election. The contest is expected to be one of the most closely watched Senate races in the nation as Republicans seek to protect their 53-47 Senate majority.
Talarico secured the Democratic nomination after defeating Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the primary. Since then, Republicans have highlighted several of Talarico’s past speeches and social media posts, arguing that his progressive positions are out of step with many Texas voters.
Republican organizations, including the Republican National Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, have criticized Talarico over previous remarks on topics such as gender identity, abortion, immigration, and criminal justice. One of the issues receiving particular attention is his use of religious language while discussing political issues, including a 2021 speech in which he made comments about God and gender identity.
With both parties expected to invest heavily in the race, the Texas Senate contest is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and expensive elections of the 2026 cycle.
