Skip to main content
5 min read
◆ Mixed look for CornynElections / Campaigns

Trump endorses Paxton in Texas Republican primary against Sen. Cornyn

Cornyn responded to Trump's endorsement of his runoff opponent and argued Paxton would be a weak general-election nominee.

Trump endorses Paxton in Texas Republican primary against Sen. Cornyn
Image · San Gabriel Valley Tribune

SOURCE CHECK

TAP FOR WHY
Host credibilitySan Gabriel Valley TribuneNOT RATED
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

Credibility rates San Gabriel Valley Tribune, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.

Republished with credit

Republished from Twincities, with credit to the original publisher.

Twincities76/100 HIGH

15 stories · 74–78 · updated Oct 7, 2026

This is Twincities's own score, and this article is credited to Twincities. The host score in the Source Check is San Gabriel Valley Tribune's.

tl;dr

President Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate runoff against incumbent John Cornyn, giving Paxton a high-profile boost ahead of the May 26 vote. The endorsement intensified concerns among some Republicans about Cornyn’s chances and the cost of defending the seat in November.

Community verdict

24 VOTES
How does this story look for
John Cornyn R · TX · SEN
● OPEN

People in this story

SWIPE →
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator and Republican Senate candidate in the runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Paxton in the Republican Senate runoff

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

Texas attorney general and Republican Senate candidate endorsed by Trump

Paxton's version of this story ↗

Democratic state representative and the expected general-election opponent of the Republican nominee

Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Kentucky representative defeated by Trump's endorsed challenger

Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Louisiana senator who finished third in his Republican primary

Julia Letlow
R · LA-5

Louisiana representative and Republican Senate candidate in a runoff

Tim Scott
R · SC · SEN

South Carolina senator who warned Republicans could struggle to hold Texas without Cornyn

Kentucky Republican candidate who defeated Thomas Massie

Louisiana Republican Senate candidate advancing to a runoff

Cynthia M. Lummis
R · WY · SEN

Republican senator who said Cornyn had a better chance in 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.

Discussion · 0

What's your take?

Loading comments…