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◆ Mixed look for TrumpElections / Campaigns

Cornyn went to great lengths to avoid Trump's wrath. The Texas senator lost his seat anyway

Trump endorsed Paxton and criticized Cornyn, while the article describes Cornyn’s efforts to gain Trump’s support.

Cornyn went to great lengths to avoid Trump's wrath. The Texas senator lost his seat anyway
Image · Los Angeles Times

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Outlet credibilityLos Angeles Times85/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

Credibility rates Los Angeles Times, where this article appeared. The other scores rate the article itself.

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Los Angeles Timesoriginal publisher not identified
May 27, 2026
tl;dr

John Cornyn lost the Texas Republican Senate runoff to Ken Paxton by double digits after spending more than a year trying to win Donald Trump’s support. The article traces Cornyn’s efforts to align himself with Trump and the president’s eventual endorsement of Paxton.

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42 VOTES
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Donald Trump R · President of the United States
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People in this story

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Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Paxton and criticized Cornyn

PRIMARY SUBJECT
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator who lost the Republican Senate runoff after trying to secure Trump's support

Cornyn's version of this story ↗
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Texas attorney general who defeated Cornyn in the Republican Senate runoff

Jeff Flake
Former U.S. Senator (R-AZ)

Former senator who criticized Cornyn’s efforts to please Trump

Part of a bigger story

31 OUTLETS
Trump-Endorsed Ken Paxton Defeats John Cornyn in Texas Senate Runoff

Ken Paxton defeated John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate runoff after President Donald Trump endorsed Paxton. Left-leaning outlets frame the win as a possible liability for Republicans, emphasizing Paxton’s general-election risks and the potential cost to Trump’s influence. Center outlets focus on Trump’s role in the result and Cornyn’s efforts to win his support, with some weighing Paxton’s general-election prospects. Right-leaning outlets present Paxton’s win as a victory for Trump’s influence and, in some coverage, for Trump-aligned politics over party establishment figures.

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