Full Breakdown
Trump Endorses Ken Paxton Over John Cornyn in Texas Senate Runoff
5/22/2026, 3:06:54 AM
Trump’s Late Endorsement of Ken Paxton
On May 19, 2026, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he “completely and totally” endorses Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate, describing him as a “true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas.” In the same post Trump called incumbent Sen. John Cornyn “a good man” but said the senator “was not supportive of me when times were tough.” The endorsement arrived a day after early voting began for the May 26 runoff.
Background: The Primary Race and Trump’s Influence
The March 3 primary left Cornyn (42 % of the vote) and Paxton (40.5 %) short of the 50 % threshold, triggering a runoff. Trump had remained neutral for weeks, despite Senate leadership urging him to back Cornyn. Earlier in the cycle Trump successfully unseated other incumbents, including Sen. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana, reinforcing the perceived weight of his endorsements.
Key Players
- Donald Trump – former president, primary endorser.
- Ken Paxton – Texas attorney general, former impeachment target (2023) and defendant in a securities-fraud case settled in 2024.
- John Cornyn – four-term Republican senator, former state judge, long-time ally of Senate leadership.
- Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) – Senate Republicans who publicly criticized the endorsement.
- Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) – NRSC chair warning that a Paxton nomination could jeopardize the Texas seat.
- Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) – warned the endorsement could make the race “three times more expensive.”
Timeline of the Runoff Contest
- March 3, 2026 – Primary results: Cornyn 42 %, Paxton 40.5 %, Hunt 13.5 %.
- May 18, 2026 – Early voting opens.
- May 19, 2026 – Trump announces endorsement of Paxton.
- May 26, 2026 – Runoff election.
Polls and Campaign Finances
Polling varies: a University of Houston Hobby School survey (April 28–May 1) gave Paxton 48 % and Cornyn 45 %; a Texas Public Opinion poll showed Paxton ahead by double digits (?52 % vs 40 %). Real Clear Polling placed Democratic nominee James Talarico two points ahead of Paxton.
Campaign spending is heavily skewed. Cornyn’s campaign and allied super-PACs have spent roughly $87 million on advertising, while Paxton-aligned groups have spent about $9 million. Talarico has raised over $27 million and reports cash on hand near $10 million.
Stakes for the Senate and Down-Ballot Races
Republican leaders argue that Paxton’s legal and personal controversies could make the general-election contest more costly and less winnable, potentially forcing the party to divert tens of millions of dollars from other competitive Senate races. Democrats view the endorsement as improving their odds of flipping a seat that Republicans have held since 1994.
Official Statements
- Trump framed the endorsement as a reward for loyalty and highlighted Paxton’s support for ending the Senate filibuster and the “SAVE America Act.”
- Cornyn emphasized his 99 % voting alignment with Trump, called the endorsement “a blow,” and urged voters to choose a “strong nominee” to protect down-ballot races.
- Paxton said he was “incredibly honored” and pledged to advance Trump’s “America First” agenda in the Senate.
Republican Dissent
Murkowski called the decision “supremely disappointing,” Collins labeled Paxton “ethically challenged,” and Graham warned the race could become “three times more expensive.” Lummis expressed sadness, noting the endorsement would “cost us a fortune.” Thune acknowledged the president’s right to choose but reiterated his support for Cornyn.
Voter Reactions on the Ground
At a rally in Allen, Texas, Paxton supporters broke into a “YMCA” dance after the endorsement. Independent voter Toni Farrell (Meadow, TX) said she will continue to support Cornyn and would vote Democratic if Paxton wins. Paxton campaign volunteers described the endorsement as a “major boost” for their effort.
Conflicting Polls and Uncertainties
Sources differ on who leads the runoff: some polls show Paxton with a modest lead, others indicate a statistical tie, while a few place Talarico ahead of Paxton in a hypothetical general-election matchup. The precise impact of Trump’s late endorsement on voter turnout remains unquantified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate.” — Donald Trump, Truth Social post.
- “John Cornyn is a good man, and I worked well with him, but he was not supportive of me when times were tough.” — Donald Trump, Truth Social post.
- “I am incredibly honored to have President Trump's COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT,” — Ken Paxton, X post.
- “It is now time for Texas Republican voters to decide if they want a strong nominee to help our GOP candidates down ballot and defeat Talarico in November, or a weak nominee who jeopardizes everything we care about.” — John Cornyn, X post.
- “I think we'll win Texas, no matter what,” — Lindsey Graham, CNN interview.
What’s Next
The runoff on May 26 will determine the Republican nominee. The winner will face Democrat James Talarico in the November general election, with both parties expected to increase spending as the race tightens. Republican leadership has warned that a Paxton nomination could force the party to allocate additional resources to defend the seat and related down-ballot contests.
