President Trump threw his support behind Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the state's Senate Republican runoff, dealing a direct blow to incumbent Sen. John Cornyn just days before the May 26 vote. The endorsement, announced Tuesday on Truth Social, signals a clear break between the former president and the three-term senator, who has sought to distance himself from Trump's most combative tactics.
“Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate,” Trump wrote, cementing his role as kingmaker in a race that has become a proxy fight over the party's future.
The runoff was forced after neither candidate cleared the 50% threshold in the March primary. Trump had initially stayed on the sidelines, saying both men “ran great races, but not good enough.” But with early voting already underway, he chose to intervene, a move that Cornyn's allies had feared would tilt the contest. The president has also suggested he would ask the loser to drop out immediately, though that demand now appears moot given Paxton's momentum.
Cornyn, a seasoned fundraiser and former Senate GOP whip, has been backed by national Republicans, including the Senate campaign arm, who argue he is the party's best bet to hold the seat in a general election. They have pointed to Paxton's 2023 impeachment in the Texas House on corruption charges—though he was later acquitted by the state Senate—as a liability. Paxton's team counters that he has a winning record in Texas and a loyal base among Trump voters.
The race is widely seen as a test of the MAGA brand in Texas, a state Trump carried by 14 points in 2024. Paxton, a firebrand who has embraced Trump's grievances, now has the former president's stamp of approval, putting Cornyn on the defensive. Meanwhile, Democrats have long viewed Paxton as the weaker opponent, and some are quietly cheering the endorsement as they eye a potential flip in a deep-red stronghold. The Democratic nominee, James Talarico, has mounted a strong campaign, forcing Republicans to spend resources in a state they once took for granted.
Trump's decision also underscores his willingness to punish incumbents who have crossed him. Cornyn, who criticized Trump after the January 6 attack, has tried to thread a needle between loyalty to the party and independence from Trump. That balancing act now appears to have failed. As one GOP strategist put it, “Cornyn bet he could outlast Trump's influence. He lost.”
The endorsement comes as Trump faces his own controversies, including a self-funded ballroom project that has drawn scrutiny from ethics watchdogs. But in Texas, his word still carries weight. Paxton is now the clear favorite, though the runoff remains tight. Early voting data shows high turnout, suggesting the race could be a bellwether for the party's direction.
For Cornyn, the path forward is narrow. He has campaigned on his seniority and ability to deliver for Texas, but Trump's endorsement has energized Paxton's base. If Paxton wins, it will be a victory for the MAGA wing and a warning to any Republican who dares to defy Trump. If Cornyn pulls off an upset, it could signal that the party is ready to move on. Either way, the Texas runoff is shaping up as one of the most consequential primary fights of the cycle.
