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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Trump endorses Paxton in Texas Republican primary, boosting his challenge to incumbent Sen. Cornyn

Cornyn is the incumbent in the runoff, and Trump’s endorsement went to his challenger.

Trump endorses Paxton in Texas Republican primary, boosting his challenge to incumbent Sen. Cornyn
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This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

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May 19, 2026
tl;dr

Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton in Texas’s Republican Senate runoff against incumbent John Cornyn, a move that could reshape the race and the party’s campaign spending. Paxton and Cornyn are due to face each other in the May 26 runoff.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
John Cornyn R · TX · SEN
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

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

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Incumbent senator seeking the Republican nomination against Paxton

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Senate candidate endorsed by Trump in the Texas Republican runoff

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

President who endorsed Paxton in the Texas Republican runoff

Trump's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate candidate who responded to Trump’s endorsement

Wesley Hunt
R · TX-38

Representative who finished third in the Republican primary and did not advance

Tim Scott
R · SC · SEN

South Carolina senator and National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman who warned about the general election

Part of a bigger story

96 OUTLETS
Trump Endorses Ken Paxton Over John Cornyn in Texas GOP Runoff

Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over incumbent John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate runoff ahead of the May 26 vote. Cornyn said he would continue in the race, a response reported alongside the endorsement. Left-leaning outlets frame the endorsement chiefly as a setback for Cornyn and a possible risk to Republican prospects, often emphasizing Paxton’s record. Center outlets focus on the effect on the runoff, Republican divisions and potential general-election stakes. Right-leaning outlets generally present the endorsement as a boost for Paxton, though some weigh the consequences for Cornyn or Republican prospects.

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