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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas primary, boosting his challenge to incumbent Cornyn

Paxton is challenging incumbent John Cornyn and received Trump’s endorsement in their Republican runoff.

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

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May 19, 2026
tl;dr

President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Republican Senate runoff against incumbent John Cornyn, a week before the May 26 vote. The endorsement intensified an already costly contest and raised Republican concerns about the party’s chances in November.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Ken Paxton R · TX
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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

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Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Texas

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President of the United States; endorsed Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate runoff

Trump's version of this story ↗
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Incumbent U.S. senator and Republican Senate candidate in Texas

Cornyn's version of this story ↗

Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Texas

Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

U.S. representative from Kentucky

Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

U.S. senator from Louisiana

Julia Letlow
R · LA-5

U.S. representative from Louisiana and Republican Senate candidate

Tim Scott
R · SC · SEN

U.S. senator from South Carolina and chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee

Republican candidate challenging Thomas Massie for a Kentucky House seat

Louisiana state treasurer and Republican Senate candidate

Cynthia M. Lummis
R · WY · SEN

U.S. senator from Wyoming

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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