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◆ Mixed look for TrumpElections / Campaigns

In Cornyn's enormous loss, proof of Trump's hold over GOP base

The article presents Trump’s primary influence and endorsement of Paxton as central to Cornyn’s defeat.

In Cornyn's enormous loss, proof of Trump's hold over GOP base
Image · The Seattle Times

SOURCE CHECK

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Host credibilityThe Seattle Times81/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

Credibility rates The Seattle Times, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.

Republished with credit

Republished from The New York Times, with credit to the original publisher.

91 stories · 94–95 · updated Oct 6, 2026

This is The New York Times's own score, and this article is credited to The New York Times. The host score in the Source Check is The Seattle Times's.

The Seattle Timesvia The New York Times
May 27, 2026
tl;dr

Ken Paxton defeated Sen. John Cornyn by nearly 28 points in Texas’s Republican Senate runoff, a result the article presents as evidence of President Donald Trump’s continuing influence over GOP primary voters. The outcome also revived Democrats’ hopes for the general election.

Community verdict

42 VOTES
How does this story look for
Donald Trump R · President of the United States
● OPEN

People in this story

SWIPE →
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose endorsements and influence are central to the article’s account of Republican primary results

PRIMARY SUBJECT
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Incumbent senator defeated in the Texas Republican Senate runoff

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

Republican Senate candidate who defeated Cornyn in the Texas runoff

Paxton's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate candidate whose campaign released an ad about Paxton

Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Kentucky representative defeated in a House primary after Trump opposed him

Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Louisiana senator who failed to reach the runoff in his reelection bid

Part of a bigger story

30 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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