AUSTIN — President Donald Trump has yet to pick sides in the bitter Republican runoff for Texas's U.S. Senate seat, telling reporters he'll “make a decision… maybe relatively soon.” The comment, made Thursday, echoes a similar promise he made 65 days ago, leaving the race between incumbent Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton in limbo.
Trump has already endorsed 286 candidates in 2026 Republican primaries nationwide, including 19 of 33 Senate races, according to Ballotpedia. But the Texas contest remains a notable exception. The president’s hesitation comes despite a high-stakes battle that could define the party’s direction in a state where Trump’s influence is being tested elsewhere.
In early March, Trump stood in Corpus Christi and praised both men, calling Paxton “a great Attorney General” and Cornyn “a great senator.” Without his endorsement, neither broke 50% in the first round. Cornyn took 42% of the vote, edging Paxton’s 40.5%, despite Paxton leading in most pre-election polls. Representative Wesley Hunt’s candidacy forced the runoff.
Trump’s delay has fueled speculation. On TruthSocial the day after the primary, he wrote, “I will be making an Endorsement soon, and will be asking the candidate that I don’t Endorse to immediately DROP OUT OF THE RACE!” At the time, The Atlantic reported Trump was leaning toward Cornyn, citing the incumbent’s upset win and GOP fears of a costly runoff while Democrat James Talarico builds resources for the general election.
Paxton quickly countered, offering to drop out if Senate leadership passes the SAVE America Act, a Trump priority requiring voter ID and citizenship proof. Paxton posted on X, “I would consider dropping out of this race if Senate Leadership agrees to lift the filibuster and passes the SAVE America Act.” Senate leader John Thune has rejected ending the 60-vote filibuster, saying he lacks the support.
The gambit has bought Paxton time. Now, 65 days after Trump’s initial promise, the president remains silent. Trump celebrated April’s jobs numbers and posted about other races, but not this one.
Trump’s endorsement could be decisive. Of 119 endorsed candidates who have faced elections this year, only six lost. Rice University professor Mark P. Jones noted Trump’s pattern of late endorsements, pointing to Sid Miller’s loss after a last-day endorsement. “One would assume that if he is going to endorse, he would do so before the start of early voting,” Jones said. “But until dawn on election day, May 26, we can’t actually rule out a Donald Trump endorsement.”
Early voting begins May 18. Paxton, campaigning in San Antonio on Thursday, contrasted his style with Cornyn’s, saying, “I’m committed to helping President Trump get it done.” Cornyn’s campaign did not comment on the delay.
The runoff is shaping up as a proxy battle for the GOP’s future in Texas, with Trump’s endorsement—or lack of one—looming over every move. For now, both candidates wait.
