Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday congratulated Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for his decisive win over incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the state's Republican Senate primary runoff, a contest that highlighted deepening divisions within the party. Trump, who had endorsed Paxton just days before the vote, praised Cornyn even as he predicted a challenging general election ahead.
Paxton secured 63.8 percent of the vote to Cornyn's 36.2 percent, according to Decision Desk HQ. The victory marks a major shift in Texas politics, as Paxton now faces Democrat James Talarico in November. Trump took a swipe at Talarico on Truth Social, calling him “the worst TEXAS candidate I have ever seen,” and adding that he would hold “nice, big, beautiful rallies for Ken.”
Trump also targeted Representative Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat who had previously considered a Senate run, labeling her “a very low IQ individual, who is no relation to the legendary frontiersman, Davy Crockett.” His remarks underscored the former president's willingness to attack Democrats he views as vulnerable.
Despite the loss, Trump emphasized his ongoing friendship with Cornyn, writing, “John will remain my friend for a long time to come, as we both watch Ken become a fantastic, common sense Senator, one who is respected by all.” Cornyn, a longtime supporter of Trump's policies, had faced criticism from the former president for not being sufficiently loyal. In his endorsement of Paxton, Trump said Cornyn “was not supportive of me when times were tough.”
Cornyn conceded Tuesday night, telling supporters, “I said throughout this race that I trust the voters of Texas, and they've made their decision, and I must respect it.” He pledged to back the Republican ticket against Talarico.
The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, shifted the race toward Democrats after Paxton's win. Analyst Jessica Taylor noted that while Cornyn would have made the race more competitive, Paxton's “litany of ethical lapses” — including allegations of bribery, misuse of office, and marital infidelity — gives Democrats an opening. “Paxton has a litany of ethical lapses for Democrats to exploit — from allegations of bribery and misuse of his office to marital infidelity, which led his wife to divorce him on ‘biblical grounds,'” Taylor wrote.
The Texas runoff is part of a broader pattern of Trump-backed challengers ousting incumbents who have crossed him. Cornyn's defeat follows similar outcomes for Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky. Cassidy voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial, while Massie has clashed with the administration over releasing files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and U.S. military actions in Iran.
In Texas, Paxton's victory could reshape the state's political landscape, but it also carries risks. The runoff deepened the GOP divide, and Democrats see an opportunity to flip a seat that had been considered safe. Meanwhile, Trump allies are pushing to oust the Senate parliamentarian, a move that could further complicate legislative battles if Republicans win control.
Paxton's campaign will now focus on countering Democratic attacks while rallying Trump's base. Trump's promise to campaign for Paxton signals that the former president sees the Texas race as a key test of his continued influence within the GOP. As the general election approaches, all eyes will be on how Paxton navigates the controversies that have dogged his tenure as attorney general.
