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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Trump picks Paxton over Cornyn in Texas' GOP Senate primary runoff as early voting is underway

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

Trump picks Paxton over Cornyn in Texas' GOP Senate primary runoff as early voting is underway
Image · KERA

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Outlet credibilityKERA80/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

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KERAoriginal publisher not identified
May 19, 2026
tl;dr

President Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate runoff, with early voting underway. A poll cited in the article suggested the endorsement could affect the close contest.

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

SWIPE →
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Texas attorney general and Republican Senate candidate endorsed by Trump

PRIMARY SUBJECT
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Incumbent senator and Republican Senate candidate in the runoff

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

President who endorsed Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate runoff

Trump's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate nominee mentioned as a prospective general-election opponent

Wesley Hunt
R · TX-38

U.S. representative whose campaign was described as a spoiler in the first round

ALSO MENTIONED  Angela Paxton, Texas state senator, mentioned in campaign ads as Paxton's wife amid their divorce

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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