Trump flexes endorsement power for Ken Paxton after ousting Cassidy, targeting Massie
GOP Texas Senate Candidate Ken Paxton speaks to supporters at a watch party on March 3, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. Paxton and incumbent John Cornyn will face each other again in the second round.
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President Donald Trump threw his weight behind a hardline ally by endorsing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate primary runoff on Tuesday, dealing a major blow to incumbent Sen. John Cornyn a week before the state’s Election Day.
The confirmation gives Paxton a big boost in one of the GOP’s most closely watched Senate primaries; This race has become a test of Trump’s grip on Republican voters and the strength of the Senate GOP structure.
“Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who ALWAYS serves for Texas and will continue to do so in the United States Senate. He will fight tirelessly to sustain the Great Growth of our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations,” Trump said. A post on Truth Social said:. “Ken Paxton has been through many events, in many cases unfairly, but he is a Warrior and knows how to WIN. Our country needs Warriors as well as Loyalty to the Cause of Greatness.”
The May 26 runoff elections pit Paxton, a longtime Trump ally, against Cornyn, who has served four terms in the Senate since 2003. Early voting began Monday and will continue through Friday.
Paxton’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, acknowledged in a statement to the press that he will face Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a runoff in the U.S. Senate race following the Texas Republican primary on March 3, 2026, at the Austin Marriott Downtown in Austin, Texas.
Sarah Diggins | Austin American statesman | Hearst Newspapers | Getty Images
Trump’s influence
The Texas race is the latest example of Trump expanding his influence in Republican primaries as he moves to punish lawmakers he deems insufficiently loyal and reward candidates aligned with his political movement.
“John Cornyn is a good man and I worked well with him, but he did not support me during my difficult times and during my First Term, despite having the Most Successful Economy in the History of Our Country and many other things I accomplished.” Trump shared.
This is the third major GOP primary race in a short period of time in which Trump has exerted his influence.
Trump helped end the reelection bid of Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican who voted to convict him in his second impeachment, and is backing former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, who is challenging Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., in Tuesday’s Republican primary. Massie frequently broke with Trump and the House GOP leadership.
These contests have become referendums on Trump’s dominance of the Republican Party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Although Trump’s overall approval ratings have weakened, he remains deeply popular with Republican voters, driving his support to be much larger in the primaries.
Texas Senate candidate James Talarico (D-TX) speaks at a campaign rally on March 2, 2026 in Houston, Texas. Talarico is visiting various parts of the state ahead of tomorrow’s primary elections.
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general election
In the lead-up to Election Day, Cornyn touted his support for Trump, writing: on Monday owns 99.3% voting record with the president. Cornyn is counting on the support of Senate Republican leadership and outside allies who have spent more than $60 million to help protect him. Reuters.
Paxton, meanwhile, has sought to portray Cornyn as a creature of the Washington establishment, while Cornyn has attacked Paxton as unfit for office, pointing to years of legal and political wrangling, including his impeachment by the Texas House in 2023. Paxton was later acquitted by the Texas Senate.
Polls show a neck-and-neck race between the two men.
A. statewide survey from University of Houston Hobby School of Public AffairsThe poll, conducted from April 28 to May 1, found Paxton leading Cornyn among runoff voters by 48% to 45%, just outside the poll’s margin of error.
The winner of the runoff will face Democratic nominee James Talarico in November.
State Rep. Talarico, 37, defeated Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the March Democratic primary and posted strong fundraising numbers, including more than $27 million in fundraising in the first quarter, according to her campaign.
Republicans still hold the seat in Texas, but Democrats are pointing to the GOP primary as a potential opening.
Texas Southern University The survey was published on Monday It found Talarico in close hypothetical matchups against either Republican: Cornyn leading Talarico 45% to 44%, while Paxton and Talarico were tied at 45%.
Trump wins Texas in 2024 by nearly 14 percentage points.
