Donald Trump Endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Senate Primary Against John Cornyn
Donald Trump has officially endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his bid to oust incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the state's Republican primary run-off, scheduled for next Tuesday. The decision sees Trump supporting a politician who has consistently backed his agenda, including efforts to contest the 2020 presidential election results and publicly supporting Trump during his recent trial in New York City.
Paxton's political career is notably marked by scandal. He recently settled a federal corruption indictment without an admission of guilt. In 2023, the Republican-controlled Texas legislature impeached him for alleged fraud and obstruction of justice, though he was subsequently acquitted in a state Senate trial. Furthermore, his wife initiated divorce proceedings last year amid allegations of multiple affairs.
Trump, announcing his support on Truth Social, praised Paxton as a 'winner' who has been 'tested at the highest and most difficult levels'. He contrasted this with Cornyn, stating that while a 'good man', Cornyn 'was not supportive of me when times were tough'. Cornyn, who has served in Senate Republican leadership for years and is generally viewed as a party loyalist, only endorsed Trump's re-election bid in January 2024, a delay that Trump evidently noted.
The endorsement has reportedly caused dismay among many of Cornyn's Senate colleagues. Maine Senator Susan Collins described Paxton as 'ethically challenged', while Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed 'supreme disappointment'. Democrats, however, view Paxton as a weaker candidate, potentially offering an opportunity to challenge a long-held Republican Senate seat in Texas.
This move is not an isolated incident for Trump, who recently saw a Trump-endorsed challenger defeat Senator Bill Cassidy in Louisiana's Republican primary. Similarly, in Kentucky, Ed Gallrein, recruited by Trump, is projected to have defeated incumbent Congressman Thomas Massie. Both Cassidy and Massie had previously clashed with Trump, voting against his impeachment or legislative priorities.
Early voting is already underway in Texas. In the initial primary in early March, Cornyn narrowly outpolled Paxton but failed to secure the 50% required for an outright win, despite significantly outspending Paxton by over $65 million. The victor of Tuesday's primary will advance to face Democrat James Talarico in the general election. Texas has not elected a Democratic candidate statewide in 32 years, though recent contests have shown narrowing margins.
