Texas Senate Race Tightens After Trump Backs Ken Paxton Over John Cornyn
The Republican Senate runoff race in Texas has taken a dramatic turn after President Donald Trump officially endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over longtime Senator John Cornyn, creating new political pressure just days before Election Day.
Trump announced his endorsement of Paxton in a lengthy statement, praising the Texas attorney general as a loyal supporter and calling him a “true MAGA Warrior.” The endorsement arrived shortly after early voting began in the closely watched Republican runoff race, which has become one of the most talked-about political contests in Texas this year.
The president’s decision is being viewed as a major setback for Cornyn, a four-term Republican senator who has long been considered one of the party’s most established figures in Washington. While Trump described Cornyn as a “good man” whom he had worked well with in the past, he also criticized the senator for not backing him early enough during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump said Cornyn was “very late” in supporting his bid for the Republican nomination and later the presidency. He credited his election victories with helping launch what he called a new “Golden Age of America,” while emphasizing that loyalty remains important inside the Republican Party.
The endorsement quickly shifted attention toward Paxton, who has built strong support among conservative Republican voters in Texas. Despite facing impeachment, legal investigations, and personal controversies in recent years, Paxton has continued to maintain influence within the party’s conservative base. Trump defended Paxton in his statement, describing him as someone who had been treated unfairly in many situations but remained a fighter who knows how to win.
Soon after the endorsement became public, Paxton celebrated the news while speaking to supporters. He described Trump’s backing as the most important endorsement of his political career and suggested it could give his campaign added momentum during the final stretch of the race.
Cornyn later responded publicly, pointing to his long record of supporting Trump’s policies in the Senate. He stated that he had voted alongside Trump’s positions more than 99 percent of the time and reminded voters that Trump had repeatedly referred to him as a friend during the campaign.
The Texas senator also shifted attention toward the general election, arguing that Republican voters must decide which candidate would be stronger in November. Cornyn warned that choosing the wrong nominee could hurt Republican candidates further down the ballot. He specifically referenced Democratic state Representative James Talarico, who is expected to be the Democratic nominee in the race.
Despite Trump’s endorsement of Paxton, Cornyn signaled confidence that Republican voters would ultimately decide the outcome themselves. His response reflected an effort to reassure supporters that the race remains competitive even as Trump’s backing reshapes the political landscape.
Vice President JD Vance also defended Trump’s decision during a White House press briefing shortly after the endorsement announcement. Vance said Trump believes Paxton would be a stronger senator and a better candidate for Republicans moving forward. He added that elected officials must remain closely connected to the priorities of both voters and party leadership if they want to stay politically successful.
The rivalry between Cornyn and Paxton has intensified in recent months as both candidates attempted to gain Trump’s support. One major issue in the race has been the proposed SAVE America Act, a voter identification measure backed heavily by conservatives. Both candidates pushed support for the legislation while trying to position themselves as the stronger ally to Trump and his political movement.
Cornyn also drew attention after changing his previous position on the Senate filibuster in support of advancing the legislation, highlighting how competitive the race has become among Texas Republicans.
The runoff election comes after neither Republican candidate secured a majority during the March primary election. Following that result, Trump hinted that he would endorse one of the candidates at a later date, setting off weeks of speculation inside Republican political circles.
With Election Day approaching on May 26, the Texas Senate runoff remains extremely close. Polling has indicated a narrow contest between the two Republican candidates, while early voting numbers show that tens of thousands of Texans have already cast ballots.
The race is now being viewed as a key test of Trump’s influence inside the Republican Party and a major battle between the GOP establishment and the party’s conservative populist wing. As voting continues, both campaigns are expected to intensify efforts to win over undecided Republican voters across Texas.
Sources:
Official statements from President Donald Trump, Senator John Cornyn, Vice President JD Vance, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
Texas election information and early voting updates from official Texas election authorities and public records
