Top Podcasts on 2026 Texas Primary Showdown
Updated: Mar 09, 2026 – 3 episodes
The 2026 midterm election primary season is in full swing across the United States, with all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats up for grabs. In a highly contentious and expensive Texas primary, Republican Senator John Cornyn is headed to a runoff against Attorney General Ken Paxton, while James Talarico secured the Democratic Senate nomination. President Trump's endorsements have shown mixed results in these early contests.
Three very different takes here — start with The Megyn Kelly Show for a critical view on John Cornyn's role in the Texas primary. Megyn Kelly argues Cornyn represents the entrenched establishment, making Ken Paxton's challenge a pivotal moment for conservatives. Verdict with Ted Cruz offers a more balanced perspective, highlighting the complexities of Trump's endorsements and their impact on the GOP. For a strategic angle, Bannon's War Room discusses Ken Paxton's alignment with the Save America Act and its implications for Trump's influence in the race.
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Ridealong has curated the best podcasts and clips about 2026 Midterm Primary Season Underway, Texas Sees Key Runoffs. Listen now.
Podcast Episodes Covering This Story
“John Cornyn, I mean, everybody talks about rhinos and draining the swamp and Washington, D.C. corruption. I mean, John Cornyn is the face of all that. John Cornyn, as a Texas senator is an amnesty guy... John Cornyn has screwed over the right time and time and time again but John Cornyn is insanely powerful... So along comes Ken Paxton... We have a very rare opportunity to send a message, not to John Cornyn, screw him, to the rest of the GOP that we are done tolerating you betraying us every chance.”
Ridealong summary
John Cornyn represents the entrenched establishment that betrays conservative values, and Ken Paxton's challenge is a rare chance to send a message to the GOP.
“In the middle of the rally, while I had several hundred people there rallying for him, I got the chance to announce from the stage while I was up there that President Trump had endorsed him. That was a very cool moment. We knew it was likely to come... Instead, I got to announce it, and the crowd went nuts. that was really gratifying to have three people who who are two who who are members of my team and have been employees and another who's a very close friend to see three new likely members of congress coming that that was a big deal.”
Ridealong summary
Endorsements in Texas primaries are a double-edged sword, with Trump's backing being celebrated while internal GOP conflicts reveal deeper rifts.
“It's not simply that Cornyn's a rhino. It's not simply that Cornyn's a manifestation of the Bush situation... It's the fact that there is a certain percentage of the MAGA base that will never vote for John Cornyn. And why? Because John Cornyn obviously hates Trump and has hated on Trump. After the stealing of the 2020 election, the Jack Smith situation, these clips that are out there just infuriate people.”
Ridealong summary
The Texas primary is a battleground for Trump's influence, with Paxton positioned as the true MAGA candidate against Cornyn, who is seen as betraying Trump.