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Will Trump Endorse Cornyn Or Paxton Ahead Of Texas GOP Runoff?

Trump said he would soon endorse one runoff candidate and urge the other to leave the race.

Will Trump Endorse Cornyn Or Paxton Ahead Of Texas GOP Runoff?
Image · Forbes

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Outlet credibilityForbes77/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026
Forbes
Mar 4, 2026
tl;dr

Texas Democrats hope the Republican Senate runoff between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton will create an opening for James Talarico, who won the Democratic nomination. Donald Trump said he would endorse a candidate soon and urge the other to drop out, but had not announced his choice.

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Donald Trump R · President of the United States
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Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose forthcoming endorsement could affect the Republican runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate facing Cornyn in the Texas runoff

Paxton's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate candidate who won his party’s nomination

Talarico's version of this story ↗
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Republican Senate candidate in the Texas runoff and a potential recipient of Trump’s endorsement

Cornyn's version of this story ↗

Representative and defeated Democratic Senate primary candidate

John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate Majority Leader commenting on the effect of Trump’s endorsement

Kamala Harris
Former U.S. Senator (D-CA)

Former vice president who endorsed Talarico after the primary

Ted Cruz
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator mentioned as the opponent in one of O’Rourke’s past campaigns

Elizabeth Warren
D · MA · SEN

Senator who congratulated Talarico and encouraged Democrats to support him

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

Former Texas statewide candidate and Democrat whose campaigns are used as a comparison

ALSO MENTIONED  Greg Abbott, Texas governor mentioned as the opponent in one of O’Rourke’s past campaigns

Part of a bigger story

23 OUTLETS
Trump Says He Will Endorse in Texas Senate Runoff and Urges Rival to Exit

Outlets agree that Trump said he would soon endorse either John Cornyn or Ken Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate runoff and ask the candidate he does not back to leave. Cornyn and Paxton advanced to the runoff after the primary. Left-leaning outlets frame the endorsement as Trump exerting influence over the Republican contest, highlighting both Cornyn’s bid for backing and Paxton’s stated refusal to leave. Center outlets largely report the pending choice and calls from Republican leaders for Trump to back Cornyn, while some also note the Democratic opportunity after James Talarico’s primary win. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Trump’s leverage and Republican unity, though Blaze Media argues he should not pressure either candidate.

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