Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) made a final push Tuesday to convince primary voters of his loyalty to President Trump, even as the president threw his weight behind a rival. In an appearance on Fox News, Cornyn highlighted his role in confirming conservative judges and passing tax cuts during Trump's first term, calling himself a consistent ally.
"I'm proud of the fact that we confirmed hundreds of justices, including three new Supreme Court justices. I was the whip, or the chief vote counter, during his first term when we passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act," Cornyn said. He added that Trump has called him a friend, but noted that only Texans can vote in this primary.
Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton last week, calling him a "true MAGA warrior" while criticizing Cornyn for not backing him early in the 2024 race. "John Cornyn is a good man, and I worked well with him, but he was not supportive of me when times were tough," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Cornyn led Paxton by nearly 32,000 votes in the March primary, but Trump's endorsement has shifted momentum. The runoff comes amid surges in early voting, though turnout still lags behind March levels.
Paxton's Controversies Loom
Cornyn warned that a Paxton victory could hurt the party in November, citing the attorney general's legal troubles and the likely media scrutiny. "Ken Paxton will be on defense the whole time between now and November," Cornyn said. He predicted Paxton would be an "albatross" for downballot races, potentially costing the GOP a winnable seat against Democrat James Talarico.
Paxton faces an ongoing securities fraud indictment and a separate FBI investigation into bribery allegations, which he has denied. Some GOP strategists worry that Paxton's baggage could make the race more competitive, especially given Talarico's fundraising ability and media attention.
National Stakes
The Texas Senate race is one of the most closely watched in the 2026 cycle, with implications for the Republican majority. Cornyn argued that he is best positioned to deliver on Trump's agenda in his final two years, while Paxton's allies counter that Cornyn is insufficiently loyal.
The contest also reflects broader tensions within the GOP between establishment figures and Trump-aligned insurgents. Trump's endorsement of Paxton underscores his willingness to challenge incumbents who he believes were not fully supportive during his presidency.
Polls close at 7 p.m. local time across Texas. The winner will face Talarico in the general election, though the district leans Republican.
