In a significant move within Texas politics, President Donald Trump recently endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. This endorsement aims to bolster Paxton’s campaign as he seeks to unseat incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the upcoming runoff election.
“Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate,” Trump stated on his social media platform, highlighting Paxton’s alignment with the Make America Great Again movement.
The endorsement came during a Paxton campaign event, eliciting enthusiastic cheers from supporters, who celebrated by dancing to “YMCA,” a catchy anthem associated with Trump’s campaign. Paxton expressed his gratitude, noting, “I have so much respect for the president and appreciate so much his endorsement.” He reflected on his political journey and the significance of receiving support from the former president.
Both Paxton and Cornyn advanced to the May 26 runoff after a March 3 primary in which neither candidate secured a majority. Early voting commenced on Monday and will continue through Friday, as voters prepare for a crucial decision that could reshape the Republican landscape in Texas.
Trump’s endorsement is part of a broader strategy to consolidate power within the GOP by supporting candidates who remain loyal to his agenda. Recent victories, such as the defeats of Republican Senator Bill Cassidy in Louisiana and Indiana state senators who opposed him, have emboldened Trump to continue this trend. In another notable instance, he endorsed a challenger to Kentucky U.S. Representative Thomas Massie, whose actions regarding the Epstein files and opposition to military engagements have been at odds with Trump’s positions.
Despite Cornyn’s history of supporting Trump’s agenda in Washington, Paxton has positioned himself as a fierce advocate for the MAGA movement. This endorsement puts him at odds with the Republican establishment, which views Cornyn as the stronger candidate for the general election against Democratic state Representative James Talarico.
In a response to Trump’s endorsement, Cornyn emphasized his loyalty to the former president, claiming he voted with Trump “99% of the time.” He also cautioned that Paxton could be a “weak nominee” and jeopardize Republican chances in the general election.
Talarico, for his part, commented on the implications of the primary, stating, “It doesn’t matter who wins this runoff. We already know who we’re running against: the billionaire mega-donors and their corrupt political system.”
Trump’s social media remarks also highlighted his past grievances with Cornyn, who he accused of not being supportive during critical moments of his presidency. The former president expressed disappointment in Cornyn’s late backing during his initial campaign, which he described as a “Historic Run for the Republican Nomination.”
As the runoff approaches, the contest between Cornyn and Paxton is increasingly seen as a pivotal moment for the future direction of the Republican Party. Some party leaders worry that a Paxton nomination could divert resources from other competitive races, given his controversial legal history, including a recent impeachment trial on corruption charges.
While Trump’s overall approval ratings may have declined among the general electorate, his influence remains potent among Republican primary voters. His endorsements have proven decisive in various races, as evidenced by recent primaries in Indiana and Louisiana where Trump-backed candidates performed strongly.
With the runoff looming, all eyes will be on Texas, where the outcome could not only determine the Republican nominee but also set the stage for broader implications in the upcoming elections.
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Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa, and Bedayn reported from Austin, Texas. Follow the AP’s coverage of the 2026 elections at https://apnews.com/hub/elections.
