As the March 2026 Republican primary approaches for the highly coveted Texas Senate seat, the race has become a fierce battleground not only between candidates but also between powerful political forces, including Super PACs that have significantly ramped up their involvement. Rep. Wesley Hunt and Attorney General Ken Paxton are the two leading figures in a primary that has divided the state’s GOP and drawn national attention due to the spending surge and ideological clashes between the conservative factions backing each candidate.
With both sides running aggressive campaigns to define themselves as the true heir to conservative Texas politics, the race has taken a sharp turn toward hard-hitting negative ads, strategic alliances, and complex PAC influence. The primary campaign is evolving into more than just a contest between two candidates; it’s quickly becoming a proxy battle over the future of Texas conservatism and the broader direction of the Republican Party.
The Rise of Super PAC Influence
Super PACs are playing a pivotal role in shaping the dynamics of the Texas Senate race, particularly on the side of Attorney General Ken Paxton. Backing him is a Super PAC called Conservatives for Texas, which has already poured millions into attack ads targeting Rep. Wesley Hunt. The ads primarily focus on Hunt’s past positions, accusing him of abandoning core conservative values in favor of more moderate stances, especially regarding issues like immigration and gun rights.
In response, Hunt’s supporters and his own campaign have pushed back, framing Paxton’s allies as attempting to distort his record. While Hunt, a U.S. Representative, has positioned himself as a staunch conservative, especially on border security, fiscal responsibility, and supporting former President Donald Trump, the ads claim that Hunt’s early career included positions that appear more centrist.
On the other hand, Lone Star Liberty PAC, a newly formed group, has jumped into the fray, leveling its own criticisms against Paxton. Their attack ads accuse the attorney general of undermining conservative values by becoming too closely aligned with controversial figures in the GOP. Paxton, who has faced multiple legal challenges, including impeachment proceedings that ended in an acquittal, has not shied away from defending his record, citing his efforts to fight against the Biden administration’s policies, particularly those on border security and immigration.
The Divide Between Conservative Factions
The Texas GOP’s internal battle is about more than just personalities, it’s a fight over the future of the party itself. Paxton, a well-known figure in the state’s conservative legal circles, has positioned himself as a fighter against federal overreach and a staunch defender of state’s rights. His supporters see him as the champion of traditional Texas conservatism, pushing back against the influence of big government and standing firm on issues like abortion, gun rights, and tax cuts.
In contrast, Hunt, with his more traditional political experience as a Congressman, emphasizes unity within the party, appealing to voters who feel that Paxton’s legal issues and his hard-edged confrontational style might harm the party’s chances in the general election. Hunt has also gained attention for his more polished and bipartisan approach, hoping to draw in moderate Republicans and independent voters, who could prove pivotal in the November general election.
But this ideological divide, illustrated by Hunt’s appeal to a broader base of Republican voters, has not gone unnoticed among GOP leaders. Many of Texas’s establishment Republicans are concerned about Paxton’s polarizing presence and the potential fallout from his legal troubles. Senator John Cornyn and former Governor Rick Perry have signaled cautious support for Hunt, citing his ability to rally conservative-leaning independents and his capacity to stand up against Democrats in the general election.
A Bitter Campaign
With only weeks to go until the primary, the stakes are high. Texas Republicans, facing tough challenges from Democrats in key races, will be looking for a candidate who can both energize the base and appeal to a broader swath of the electorate. Paxton, bolstered by his strong grassroots support, and Hunt, backed by both old and new money in Texas political circles, are engaged in what has become a bitter contest for the future direction of the state’s Republican Party.
Hunt, who is openly critical of Paxton’s legal battles, has made his case that the Republican Party cannot afford another scandalous Senate seatholder. “It’s time for a fresh face with the energy to take on the Biden administration and fight for Texas values,” Hunt stated in a recent speech to supporters. His campaign is focused on themes of economic growth, strong border security, and a return to the fundamentals of conservatism, an appeal to both the state’s traditionalists and a growing demographic of younger conservatives.
Paxton, who won the Texas Attorney General’s office in 2014 and has become known as a key ally of Trump, argues that the stakes are too high for Republicans to turn away from his track record of fighting for conservative causes, including his legal challenges to Biden’s executive orders and the defense of religious liberty. Paxton’s team has been quick to brand Hunt as an opportunist, positioning him as a candidate who is more focused on his political future than on true conservatism.
What’s at Stake
Ultimately, this primary race is not just about who will represent Texas in the Senate; it’s a key battle for the soul of the Republican Party. Will the GOP return to its roots of strong conservative principles, as Paxton advocates, or will it embrace a more pragmatic approach, as Hunt represents, aimed at winning over more moderate Republicans and independents? The outcome of this primary will have a lasting impact on the shape of Texas politics and the larger national conversation within the GOP.
With just weeks left until voters head to the polls, the influence of Super PACs, the growing divisions within the Texas GOP, and the focus on who best represents traditional conservative values versus pragmatic electability will continue to dominate the discourse. How this primary unfolds could signal not just the future of the Texas Senate race, but also the broader trajectory of the Republican Party in one of its most important and historically conservative strongholds.
As we approach the March primary, all eyes are on Texas, and especially on the fight between Ken Paxton and Wesley Hunt, two of the most prominent conservative figures in the state. The next few weeks promise to be pivotal in determining not just the Republican nominee, but also the broader vision for the future of the party.
