"Democrats hope this seat " and the Senate majority more broadly " could be attainable thanks to the divisions among Republicans in this race. Paxton's victory also reaffirms Trump's grip on the Republican party despite his falling poll numbers and other political upheaval.

Paxton came to the race with legal and personal baggage. Since he became a state official more than ten years ago, he's fended off criminal indictments, whistleblower allegations and an impeachment by the Texas House.

He was acquitted in the Texas Senate. His estranged wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, filed for divorce last summer on "biblical grounds"." (AHAHAHA!)

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"Look, if there were some honorable person ... who would do a good job, it would be far different," Cornyn told NPR. But Ken Paxton is "unrepentant for all the scandals he's been involved in and who doesn't really care about anything else other than himself."

Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston, said it could be difficult for Republicans to unite after airing their dirty laundry in Texas.

"The stain of the fight has left a lasting problem for unity among Republicans," Rottinghaus said.

"There's a concern among Republicans that the rank and file are either abandoning the party by voting for Democrats ... to switch an election or they're simply not participating.

If either of those things happen, then it's a real liability for Republicans trying to get unity going forward in November."

@jamestalaricoTX

The People vs. Ken Paxton