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Paxton Vows to Stay in Texas Senate Race Despite Potential Trump Endorsement of Rival Cornyn
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has firmly declared his intention to remain in the race for the Republican Senate nomination regardless of whether President Donald Trump endorses his opponent, longtime Senator John Cornyn.
“I’m staying in this race,” Paxton stated in an interview Wednesday evening. “I owe it to the people of Texas.”
The declaration comes as Trump announced he would soon make an endorsement in the heated GOP primary, which has now advanced to a May 26 runoff after neither candidate cleared the 50% threshold in Tuesday’s primary election.
“I will be making my Endorsement soon,” Trump wrote on social media hours after the primary results were announced. The former president added that he would ask the candidate he doesn’t endorse to “immediately DROP OUT OF THE RACE!”
Sources in Trump’s political orbit indicate the former president is likely to back Cornyn, particularly given the senator’s stronger-than-expected performance in the primary. However, observers note that Trump has been known to change course on endorsements.
The high-stakes contest has significant implications for Republican control of the Senate, where the GOP currently holds a 53-47 majority. The Texas seat is among several that could determine if Republicans maintain their chamber advantage in the 2026 midterm elections.
Paxton, a staunch MAGA supporter and longtime Trump ally, has spent the past year campaigning against Cornyn, criticizing the senator’s record and his past opposition to Trump. “John has not represented the people of Texas well,” Paxton argued. “He’s been against Trump in both of his elections, said he shouldn’t run last time… The people of Texas, at least the Republicans, would like something different.”
The primary campaign has already been extraordinarily expensive. The Cornyn campaign and aligned super PACs spent nearly $100 million attacking Paxton and third-place finisher Rep. Wesley Hunt. By comparison, Paxton has spent approximately $5 million.
Cornyn and his supporters have repeatedly highlighted the numerous scandals and legal problems that have plagued Paxton over the past decade, as well as his ongoing divorce proceedings, arguing that Democrats would flip the seat in November if Paxton becomes the nominee.
“Over the next 12 weeks, Texas Republican primary voters will hear more about my record of delivering conservative victories in the United States Senate, and learn more about Ken’s indefensible personal behavior and failures in office,” Cornyn told reporters after the primary results.
The winner of the GOP nomination will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico, who defeated progressive Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary. Talarico is attempting to become the first Democrat in nearly four decades to win a Senate election in traditionally Republican Texas.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a key Cornyn supporter, told reporters that an early Trump endorsement of Cornyn would save Republicans “a lot of money, and a lot of just 10 weeks of another spirited campaign on our side that keeps us from spending time focusing on the Democrats.”
The National Republican Senatorial Committee has also firmly backed Cornyn, with communications director Joanna Rodriguez stating, “John Cornyn remains the only candidate who guarantees state Rep. Talarico never becomes a United States senator.”
Despite mounting pressure and the likelihood of a Trump endorsement for Cornyn, Paxton supporters remain confident. Dan Eberhart, a prominent Republican donor backing Paxton, argued, “This was Cornyn’s shot to fend off his challenger by getting over 50%, and he couldn’t do it. The runoff voters will be even less friendly territory for Cornyn.”
With Trump positioning himself as the GOP kingmaker, his eventual endorsement could reshape the final weeks of this contentious primary battle. However, Paxton’s determination to continue his campaign regardless of Trump’s decision sets the stage for what could be an even more combative runoff election.
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14 Comments
This is an intriguing situation. Paxton’s refusal to back down from the Senate race, even with the possibility of a Trump endorsement for Cornyn, suggests he has a strong base of support in Texas. It will be interesting to see how this plays out and what impact it has on the primary.
Paxton’s decision to remain in the race despite the potential Trump endorsement for Cornyn is a bold move that could have significant implications. It will be fascinating to see how this unfolds and whether Paxton’s defiance of the former president’s wishes resonates with Texas voters.
This is an interesting race to watch. Paxton’s decision to stay in despite a potential Trump endorsement of Cornyn shows his commitment to the people of Texas. I’m curious to see how this all plays out.
Paxton is clearly not intimidated by the prospect of a Trump endorsement for Cornyn. This suggests he has a strong base of support in the state.
Paxton’s decision to remain in the Senate race despite the prospect of a Trump endorsement for Cornyn is a bold move. It will be fascinating to see how this dynamic unfolds and whether Paxton’s defiance of the former president’s wishes pays off.
Paxton’s unwavering stance in the face of a potential Trump endorsement for his opponent demonstrates a level of political courage that is often lacking in today’s partisan environment. This race will be one to watch closely.
It’s admirable that Paxton is standing his ground and remaining committed to the Senate race, even with the possibility of a Trump endorsement for his opponent. This shows a level of political courage that is often lacking in today’s partisan landscape.
Paxton’s decision to stay in the race despite a potential Trump endorsement for Cornyn underscores the complex dynamics at play. It will be interesting to see how this plays out and what impact it has on the primary.
I appreciate Paxton’s principled stance here. It’s admirable that he’s willing to go against the grain of a potential Trump endorsement to pursue what he believes is best for Texas.
This race will be a good test of Trump’s continued influence within the Republican party. Paxton’s defiance is a bold move.
Paxton’s unwavering commitment to the Senate race, even in the face of a potential Trump endorsement for Cornyn, is quite remarkable. This speaks to his confidence in his own support within Texas and his willingness to challenge the former president’s influence.
The fact that Paxton is willing to risk a Trump endorsement for his opponent shows that he believes he has a strong enough base of support to prevail in the primary. This could be a significant test of the former president’s political clout.
The dynamics of this Senate race are fascinating. Paxton’s refusal to back down despite the prospect of a Trump endorsement for Cornyn is intriguing. I wonder how this will impact voter sentiment in Texas.
Paxton seems undeterred by the potential Trump endorsement. This could signal a shift in the political landscape, where candidates are willing to chart their own course even when it goes against the former president’s wishes.