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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

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

Cornyn is seeking the Republican nomination against Paxton and has argued Paxton could endanger the seat in November.

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

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Outlet credibilityWLWT76/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

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May 19, 2026
tl;dr

President Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton in Texas’s Republican Senate runoff, giving Paxton a boost against incumbent John Cornyn. The endorsement adds to a costly, divisive contest ahead of the May 26 vote.

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 and Republican Senate candidate from Texas

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Texas attorney general and Republican Senate candidate

Paxton's version of this story ↗
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 ↗

Texas state representative and Democratic Senate nominee

Wesley Hunt
R · TX-38

U.S. representative from Texas and third-place finisher in the Republican primary

Tim Scott
R · SC · SEN

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

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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