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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

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

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

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

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Outlet credibilityWGAL76/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

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May 19, 2026
tl;dr

Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate runoff, backing his challenge to incumbent John Cornyn ahead of the May 26 vote. The endorsement intensified a costly intraparty contest with potential consequences for Republicans’ efforts to retain the seat.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Ken Paxton R · TX
NOT RATEDCLOSED

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

SWIPE →
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Texas attorney general 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 ↗
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Incumbent Texas senator and Republican Senate candidate in the runoff

Cornyn's version of this story ↗

Democratic nominee for the Texas Senate seat

Wesley Hunt
R · TX-38

Texas representative and former Republican primary candidate

Tim Scott
R · SC · SEN

South Carolina senator and chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee

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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