Trump Endorses Ken Paxton Over John Cornyn in Texas Senate Runoff

President Donald Trump has endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the upcoming Republican Senate primary runoff against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, delivering a significant political blow to the four-term senator. Trump made the announcement on Tuesday via a lengthy post on his social media platform Truth Social, calling Paxton a “true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate.”

Trump acknowledged Cornyn as “a good man” with whom he “worked well,” but criticized him for not supporting Trump “when times were tough” and noted that Cornyn was “very late in backing me” for the 2024 presidential bid. He also described Paxton as a “Fighter” who “knows how to WIN,” referencing Paxton’s past legal and personal challenges, including his 2023 impeachment on bribery and corruption charges, from which he was acquitted, and his ongoing divorce.

The endorsement comes just days before the May 26 runoff election, which follows a March 3 primary where Cornyn led narrowly with 42% of the vote to Paxton’s 41%, but neither secured a majority. Early voting for the runoff began on Monday. The winner will face Democrat James Talarico, a Texas state representative who won the Democratic primary and is viewed by some Republicans as a formidable opponent.

Paxton expressed gratitude for Trump’s support on social media, calling it an honor and urging Texans to vote. He has positioned himself as the staunchest Trump ally in the race, criticizing Cornyn for his bipartisan work on gun legislation and past remarks suggesting Trump’s political influence had waned. Paxton has also linked his own political struggles to those Trump faced, including impeachment.

Cornyn and Senate GOP leaders have backed Cornyn as the stronger candidate to retain the seat and avoid jeopardizing the Republican hold in Texas. They have raised concerns about Paxton’s controversies and personal issues. Cornyn stated in March, “I refuse to allow a flawed, self-centered, and shameless candidate like Ken Paxton risk everything we’ve worked so hard to build over these many years.”

Despite these concerns, Trump indicated to NBC News that he believed both Cornyn and Paxton could win the general election, calling Talarico “so weak.” Trump’s endorsement defied appeals from Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other GOP senators who supported Cornyn. Steve Bannon, a Trump ally backing Paxton, described the endorsement as a “vote of no confidence in John Thune as much as a vote of confidence in Ken Paxton.”

The primary race saw months of jockeying for Trump’s favor, with Paxton at one point conditioning his potential withdrawal on Senate leadership agreeing to eliminate the filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act, a voting law overhaul. This demand appeared aimed at Senate Majority Leader Thune, a Cornyn supporter who opposes changing the filibuster.

Talarico responded to Trump’s endorsement by dismissing its significance, 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. Our movement to take back Texas for working people rises above party politics — because the biggest fight in this country is not left versus right, it’s top versus bottom.”