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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

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

Cornyn is seeking his party's nomination for another term and is the target of Trump's endorsement of Paxton.

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Outlet credibilityWKMG84/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

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Cites Associated Press

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Associated Press96/100 HIGH

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

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WKMGcites Associated Press
May 19, 2026
tl;dr

President Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate runoff against incumbent John Cornyn, a move the article says could reshape the race. Cornyn and Paxton are set to face each other in the May 26 runoff.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
John Cornyn R · TX · SEN
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Cornyn in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Cornyn’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

SWIPE →
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Incumbent U.S. senator facing Paxton in the Republican runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate primary

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

Texas attorney general and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate

Paxton's version of this story ↗

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

Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Republican U.S. representative who lost his primary to Trump-backed Ed Gallrein

Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Republican U.S. senator who finished third in Louisiana's Senate primary

Julia Letlow
R · LA-5

Republican U.S. representative and Trump-endorsed candidate in Louisiana's Senate primary

Tim Scott
R · SC · SEN

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

Republican candidate who defeated Massie in Kentucky's primary

Louisiana state treasurer and Republican Senate candidate

Cynthia M. Lummis
R · WY · SEN

Republican U.S. senator who expressed concern about Trump's endorsement

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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