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◆ Mixed look for CornynElections / Campaigns

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

Cornyn responded to Trump’s endorsement of his runoff opponent and argued that Paxton would be a weaker nominee in November.

Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas GOP primary, boosting his challenge to incumbent Sen. Cornyn
Image · WJXT

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Outlet credibilityWJXT83/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

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Associated Press96/100 HIGH

457 stories · 96–97 · updated Oct 7, 2026

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WJXTcites Associated Press
May 19, 2026
tl;dr

Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton in Texas’s 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 that Paxton could be a weaker nominee in November.

Community verdict

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

People in this story

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John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator and Republican Senate candidate facing Paxton in the runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate runoff

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

Texas attorney general and Republican Senate candidate in the runoff

Paxton's version of this story ↗

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

Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Kentucky representative who lost his primary after Trump backed his challenger

Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Louisiana senator who finished third in the state’s Republican Senate primary

Julia Letlow
R · LA-5

Trump-endorsed Louisiana representative who finished first in the Republican Senate primary

Tim Scott
R · SC · SEN

South Carolina senator and chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee

Trump-backed Republican challenger who defeated Massie in Kentucky’s primary

Louisiana state treasurer and Republican Senate candidate who advanced to the runoff

Cynthia M. Lummis
R · WY · SEN

Republican senator who said Cornyn had a better chance of winning 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.

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