Dan Pfeiffer: “The field in the Lone Star State is set. Last night, Texas Republicans nominated Trump-backed and scandal-plagued Attorney General Ken Paxton for Senate. Paxton defeated John Cornyn, a four-term incumbent and former Senate Majority Whip.”

“This is an absolute gift to Democrats.”

“The Paxton-Cornyn primary was one of the most brutal and expensive in modern political history, with accusations of adultery, bribery, support for Sharia law, and so much else. The end result is a bruised and battered, very vulnerable Ken Paxton running against an incredibly talented and well-funded Democrat in James Talarico.”

Reuters: “President Donald Trump has repeated his false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him at least 107 times in the last six months, keeping the grievance front and center even as he faces new political risks from the war with Iran and looming midterm elections.”

“Trump devotes near-daily attention to ​the issue.”

Semafor: “Senate Republicans remain unhappy that President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over current Sen. John Cornyn — but they are shifting their focus to the general election after Cornyn’s blowout loss to Paxton Tuesday night.”

“Party leaders in Washington had deemed Cornyn the more electable candidate, but Republicans can’t afford to lose that seat and keep their majority.”

CNN: Ken Paxton’s controversies take center stage in his Texas Senate matchup with James Talarico. 

NOTUS: “Iowa Democrats and the Democratic National Committee are on a 2028 collision course.”

“Fueled by a slate of competitive statewide and congressional races, Iowa Democrats desperately want back in to the early presidential primary window, after they were axed ahead of the 2024 election. If they don’t get it, some Iowans are threatening to go rogue.”

Wall Street Journal: “Whiskers are spreading across American politics like a five o’clock shadow. In California, they could cause a seismic shift.”

“For the first time since the Great Depression, the state could elect a governor with facial hair. And the whiskers are playing an outsize role in an election where cost-of-living, homelessness and public safety weigh heavily on Californians.”

Mayes Middleton (R) beat Rep. Chip Roy (R) for the Texas attorney general GOP nomination, the Texas Tribune reports.

The race, like others in recent weeks, proved the GOP’s continued loyalty to President Donald Trump, as “MAGA Mayes” pummeled Roy for saying Trump engaged in “clearly impeachable conduct” on Jan. 6, 2021, and supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ failed 2024 presidential bid.