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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Trump makes bombshell decision in Texas Senate race

Trump endorsed Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate runoff against incumbent John Cornyn.

Trump makes bombshell decision in Texas Senate race
Image · Daily Mail

SOURCE CHECK

TAP FOR WHY
Outlet credibilityDaily Mail54/100 MEDIUM
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
May 19, 2026
tl;dr

Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate runoff, a week before voting ends. The endorsement comes as polls show a close contest and the eventual Republican nominee facing Democrat James Talarico.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Ken Paxton R · TX
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Paxton in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Paxton’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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Ken Paxton
R · TX

Texas Senate candidate endorsed by Trump in the Republican runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator facing Paxton in the Republican runoff

Cornyn's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Paxton in the Texas Senate runoff

Trump's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate candidate and winner of the party primary

Representative and former Democratic Senate candidate

Marjorie Taylor Greene
Former U.S. Representative (R-GA)

Former representative mentioned in connection with Crockett’s past public dispute

Ted Cruz
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator and winner of the 2018 race against O’Rourke

Beto O'Rourke
Former U.S. Representative (D-TX)

Former representative and past Senate candidate

ALSO MENTIONED  Barack Obama, Former president who campaigned with Talarico

Part of a bigger story

93 OUTLETS
Trump Endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Republican Senate Runoff

Outlets agree President Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over incumbent John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate runoff. Left-leaning outlets portray the endorsement as a setback for Cornyn and Republicans, stressing Paxton’s baggage and the possibility of helping Democrats. Center outlets focus on Republican concerns about the seat and Senate majority, and on what the endorsement signals about Trump’s influence and the party’s direction. Right-leaning outlets center Trump’s backing for Paxton, with some presenting it as a major boost and others noting its potential electoral consequences.

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