Cruz Stays Neutral in High-Stakes Cornyn-Paxton Senate Battle

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz has declared neutrality in the heated Texas GOP Senate nomination battle between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton, describing both candidates as personal friends.

“I like John. I like Ken. They’re both friends of mine. I have supported both of them in the past. I’ve worked closely with both of them. I’ve endorsed both of them. I’ve campaigned with both of them, and so I’m staying out,” Cruz told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. “I trust the voters of Texas to make this decision.”

The high-stakes runoff, scheduled for May 26, follows a tight primary contest on March 3 in which Cornyn edged Paxton by just one percentage point. Neither candidate reached the required 50% threshold among the crowded field of Republican hopefuls, forcing the race into overtime.

The winner will face Democratic nominee state Rep. James Talarico in the general election this fall, in a contest that could prove pivotal for control of the U.S. Senate. Republicans currently hold a slim 53-47 majority in the chamber, making the Texas race one of several that could determine which party controls the Senate after the midterms.

While Cruz remains on the sidelines, the contest has grown increasingly bitter. The Cornyn campaign and allied super PACs have invested heavily in advertising that attacks Paxton, arguing that his legal troubles and personal scandals could make the seat vulnerable to a Democratic flip in November. Cornyn’s supporters, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee, have repeatedly highlighted the various controversies surrounding Paxton over the past decade, as well as his ongoing divorce proceedings.

Paxton, a strong ally of President Donald Trump and prominent figure in the MAGA movement, has countered by questioning Cornyn’s conservative credentials and past support for Trump. As Texas Attorney General, Paxton gained national attention by filing numerous lawsuits against both the Obama and Biden administrations, cementing his reputation as a conservative firebrand.

President Trump, whose endorsement remains highly influential in Republican primaries, has yet to take sides in the Texas contest. Shortly after the primary results were announced, Trump posted on social media that he would “be making my Endorsement soon” and would ask the non-endorsed candidate to “immediately DROP OUT OF THE RACE!” Despite initial expectations that Trump would back Cornyn, more than three weeks have passed without an endorsement, giving Paxton supporters hope that the president might remain neutral.

Paxton reportedly met briefly with Trump last weekend at the president’s Mar-a-Lago residence during a Palm Beach County GOP dinner, in what one source described as a “check in” between the two. The meeting has fueled speculation about Trump’s potential involvement in the race as the runoff approaches.

Limited public polling suggests Paxton currently holds a single-digit lead over Cornyn, though the race remains fluid with several weeks of campaigning ahead.

For Democrats, the Texas Senate race represents a rare opportunity in a traditionally Republican-leaning state. Talarico, considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, defeated progressive Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary. He now faces the challenging task of becoming the first Democrat in nearly four decades to win a Senate election in Texas.

Political observers widely view the Cornyn-Paxton contest as more than just a Senate primary—it represents a battle for the soul of the Republican Party, pitting the traditional GOP establishment against the MAGA movement and grassroots conservatives. The outcome could signal the direction of the Republican Party in Texas and potentially influence similar contests nationwide.

As the May 26 runoff approaches, both candidates are expected to intensify their campaigns, with control of the Senate potentially hanging in the balance.