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Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Senate GOP primary runoff election

Trump endorsed Paxton in his runoff contest against John Cornyn.

Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Senate GOP primary runoff election
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This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
Fox News
May 19, 2026
tl;dr

Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate runoff against John Cornyn, a week before the May 26 vote. The race could affect Republicans’ Senate majority, and the nominee will face Democrat James Talarico in November.

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Ken Paxton R · TX
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Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate endorsed by Trump in the Texas runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Incumbent senator and Paxton's opponent in the Republican runoff

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

President who endorsed Paxton in the Republican runoff

Trump's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate candidate who would face the Republican nominee

Representative and former Democratic Senate primary candidate

Mitch McConnell
R · KY · SEN

Senator referenced by a Paxton supporter as a foil in the race

Former president whose administration Paxton says he sued

John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate majority leader who lobbied Trump to endorse Cornyn

Wesley Hunt
R · TX-38

Representative and third-place finisher in the Republican primary

ALSO MENTIONED  Barack Obama, Former president whose administration Paxton sued

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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