When is John Cornyn Up For Reelection: The 2026 Texas Senate Fight Explained

If you’re wondering exactly when is John Cornyn up for reelection, mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 3, 2026. That is the date of the general election. But honestly, if you live in Texas, the real fireworks are going to start way earlier than that.

The senior senator from Texas is currently serving his fourth term. He’s been in the Senate since 2002. Since terms for U.S. Senators last six years, his current stint ends on January 3, 2027. However, the path to keeping that seat is looking a lot more crowded and complicated than it has in past cycles.

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The Crucial Dates for the 2026 Cycle

Timing is everything in Texas politics. Because Texas is a deep-red state (though Democrats keep saying it's turning purple), the Republican primary is often where the real decision happens.

• Primary Election Day: March 3, 2026.
• Primary Runoff (if needed): May 26, 2026.
• General Election Day: November 3, 2026.

Wait, why a runoff? In Texas, if nobody gets more than 50% of the vote in the primary, the top two have to go at it again in May. Looking at the current polling, Cornyn might actually find himself in that exact spot.

Why This Reelection is Different

Usually, an incumbent like Cornyn—who has a massive war chest and decades of name ID—cruises through. But 2026 feels weird.

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is officially in the race. He’s been gunning for Cornyn for years, calling him a "RINO" (Republican In Name Only) and attacking him for being too bipartisan on things like gun safety and Ukraine aid. Then you’ve got Wesley Hunt, a U.S. Representative from the Houston area, who also jumped in.

Polling from early January 2026 shows a three-way split that is basically a statistical tie. Emerson College just released a poll showing Paxton at 27% and Cornyn at 26%. That’s a margin of error toss-up. With Wesley Hunt pulling about 16%, it's almost certain that no one will hit that 50% mark in March.

The Trump Factor

You can't talk about Texas Republicans without talking about Donald Trump. Cornyn has been trying to bridge the gap lately. He even hired Tony Fabrizio, Trump's longtime pollster, to help run his 2026 campaign. It’s a clear signal: he knows he needs the MAGA base to survive this primary.

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Paxton, meanwhile, leans heavily on his ties to the former president. As of mid-January 2026, Trump hasn't officially endorsed anyone in this specific race, which is keeping everyone on edge.

Who are the Democrats Running?

While the GOP is brawling, the Democrats are trying to figure out who can actually win a statewide race in Texas—something they haven't done since the early '90s.

State Representative James Talarico and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett are the two big names currently leading the pack. Talarico is currently polling slightly ahead of Crockett, especially with Hispanic and white voters, while Crockett has very strong support among Black Democratic primary voters.

If the GOP primary gets too nasty and expensive, Democrats think they might have a opening. But even then, hypothetical matchups still show Cornyn or Paxton leading the Democrats by 3 to 5 points. It's a climb.

What’s at Stake for Cornyn?

If Cornyn wins in 2026, he’s on track to become the "dean" of the Texas congressional delegation. He’s also hinted at wanting another shot at a leadership position in the Senate.

But if he loses the primary to Paxton or Hunt, it marks the end of an era for "establishment" Texas Republicanism. The 2026 election is basically a referendum on what kind of Republican Texas wants: the seasoned legislator or the populist firebrand.

Actionable Steps for Texas Voters

If you want to have a say in when is John Cornyn up for reelection and who actually takes that seat, you need to be prepared for the Texas primary system.

• Check Your Registration: The deadline to register for the March primary is typically 30 days before the election. Do it by early February 2026.
• Decide Your Primary: Texas has "open" primaries. You don't "register" as a Republican or Democrat beforehand. You just show up and ask for the ballot of the party you want to vote in that day.
• Watch the Runoff: If you vote in the Republican primary in March, you can only vote in the Republican runoff in May. You can't switch sides halfway through.
• Follow the Money: Keep an eye on the FEC filings. Cornyn has millions, but Paxton has shown he can raise "grassroots" cash quickly. Money often dictates who can afford the most TV ads in the final weeks.

Stay updated on the local filing deadlines and polling shifts, as the Texas political landscape in 2026 is moving faster than a West Texas windstorm.