🗳️ Paxton defeats Cornyn

It's Wednesday. We're here with election results.

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Today's newsletter is 722 words — a 2.5-minute read.

Republican primary voters yesterday rejected U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, one of the Senate's most senior GOP members, in favor of President Trump-backed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Why it matters: Cornyn's loss marks one of the most significant defeats for a Republican senator in years and underscores how loyalty to President Trump continues to reshape GOP primaries nationwide.

• Trump gave Paxton a last-minute endorsement in the runoff.

What they're saying: "Tonight is the beginning of the fight to preserve every value we hold dear," Paxton told supporters, referring to his upcoming general election campaign against Democrat James Talarico.

• "I've always supported the Republican ticket, and I intend to do so again in this general election," Cornyn told supporters in Austin after his defeat. "I've said throughout this race that I trust the voters of Texas, and they made their decision."

By the numbers: Paxton had 64% of the vote compared to Cornyn's 36%, according to unofficial results.

• The AP called the election in favor of Paxton about an hour after polls closed yesterday.

Zoom in: Paxton successfully cast the race as a referendum on the party establishment, energizing grassroots conservatives while dodging concerns about the legal scandals and impeachment fight that dogged much of his tenure as attorney general.

• The race became one of the country's most closely watched Senate primaries, fueling millions in fundraising and outside spending.

What we're watching: Cornyn and his supporters had warned that the outcome could complicate Republicans' efforts to hold the seat in November against Talarico, a state representative from Austin.

• Paxton's win gives Democrats a potentially more polarizing Republican opponent than Cornyn.

Reality check: A Democrat hasn't won a statewide office in Texas in more than three decades.

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State Sen. Mayes Middleton of Galveston defeated U.S. Rep. Chip Roy in the GOP runoff for Texas attorney general last night.

Why it matters: Middleton successfully cast himself as the MAGA candidate, even as Trump didn't endorse in the race.

• He will face state Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas), who won the Democratic runoff yesterday.

Catch up quick: The candidates are running to replace Paxton.

Zoom in: Middleton garnered 55% of the vote. Roy won 45%.

Between the lines: Each Republican campaign raised millions of dollars, with Mayes, an oil company president, contributing more than $15 million of his own money to his campaign.

• Middleton, who dubbed himself "MAGA Mayes," hammered Roy over his condemnation of Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. Roy promoted himself as a founder of the "Sharia Free America" caucus.

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George Morales defeated Susanna Ledesma-Woody for Travis County Precinct 4 Commissioner. No Republican candidates ran for the seat. (KUT)

Montserrat Garibay defeated Kathie Tovo in the Texas House District 49 Democratic runoff. (Austin American-Statesman)

Johnny Garcia won the Democratic runoff for the 35th Congressional District, defeating a candidate who came under fire for making antisemitic remarks. (Axios)

State Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin) defeated Marcos Vélez to be the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. (CBS News)

Paxton-backed Thomas Smith will be the Republican nominee for a seat on Republican Court of Criminal Appeals. (Texas Tribune)

Allison Bush won the Democratic primary runoff for the District 5 seat on the Texas State Board of Education. (Austin American-Statesman)

Bo French edged out incumbent Jim Wright in the Republican runoff for Railroad Commission. (The Hill)

In less than a year, 400+ higher education institutions across all 50 states, including Texas, have joined the Google AI for Education Accelerator, a no-cost program for students and staff.

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👋 Nicole here. I've been spoiled on my runs this month thanks to the our spring wildflowers around Austin.

• I highly recommend a jog or walk along the Violet Crown Trail as soon as possible.

Pro tip: Park at the Hampton Branch library and hop on the trail entrance to next to the building.

• There are tons of wildflowers if you keep following the trail toward Dick Nichols Park.

📬 Tell us: Where are your favorite spots to enjoy wildflowers this spring? Just reply to this email.

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Thanks to Astrid Galván and Bob Gee for editing this newsletter.

🏖️ Asher returns today.

👀 Nicole has been craving a chocolate chip cookie from Abby Jane Bakeshop.