Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), locked in a competitive reelection fight, unveiled legislation Tuesday to rename a major Texas highway after President Trump. The bill would upgrade US Highway 287 to Interstate 47, a nod to Trump as the nation's 47th president.
“I am proud to introduce legislation to rename US Highway 287 as Interstate 47 in honor of our 47th President,” Cornyn wrote on social media. The highway, stretching 1,791 miles from Montana to Texas, is the second-longest US route. Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis co-sponsored the measure.
Cornyn cited a Texas Department of Transportation study projecting a 7.37% reduction in travel time and $5.4 billion in savings by 2050 if the road is upgraded to interstate standards. “Texas is Trump Country & this bill cements @POTUS’ legacy by designating nearly 1,800 miles of open road to forever be known as the Trump interstate,” he added.
The proposal comes as Cornyn faces Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a May 26 runoff, after neither secured a majority in the March GOP primary. A University of Houston poll showed Paxton leading by just 3 points.
Trump has not endorsed in the race, despite teasing an announcement. After the primary, he posted on Truth Social that the division “MUST STOP NOW!” and warned he would ask the loser to drop out. Two months later, he said a decision could come “maybe relatively soon.”
The runoff has turned bitter. Paxton attacks Cornyn as “anti-Trump,” pointing to his flip on the filibuster. Cornyn fires back, calling Paxton “Crooked Ken” and referencing his messy divorce. The winner faces state Rep. James Talarico (D) in November.
Cornyn’s highway bill is a clear appeal to Trump’s base, but it also carries policy weight. The upgrade could boost trade and travel in a state where infrastructure is a growing concern. Critics question the timing, given the tight race.
As the runoff nears, both candidates vie to prove their loyalty to Trump. The president’s eventual nod could tip the scales—and Cornyn’s Trump-named highway might be his strongest play yet.
