Trump Endorses Ken Paxton Over John Cornyn in Texas Senate Runoff

President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 19, 2026, in the Republican runoff for U.S. Senate in Texas, according to the Associated Press. The endorsement throws Trump's political support behind Paxton, the primary challenger to incumbent Senator John Cornyn, in the Republican runoff. The Associated Press reported that the endorsement intensified the split between Trump-aligned activists and Republican establishment figures backing Cornyn, placing Trump in one of the Republican Party's most contentious 2026 primary contests.

The Details

Trump's endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton arrived one week before the May 26 runoff election. Both Paxton and Cornyn advanced to the runoff after competing in the March 3 primary, which narrowed the Republican field to these two candidates. In his endorsement message, Trump described Paxton as 'a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate.' The Associated Press reported that the endorsement intensified the split between Trump-aligned activists on one side and Republican establishment figures who are backing Cornyn on the other side of the contest.

Paxton launched his Senate primary challenge against Cornyn in April 2025. The Associated Press previously reported that the challenge set up one of the Republican Party's most contentious 2026 contests. Since entering the race, Paxton has pitched himself as the more combative Make America Great Again candidate, drawing a contrast with the incumbent senator. The Associated Press reported in March that Texas Republicans were bracing for a bitter and expensive runoff because Trump had not endorsed before the primary. At that time, the race had become a proxy fight over the Republican Party's future.

The March 3 primary concluded with both Paxton and Cornyn advancing to the runoff stage. Texas Republicans had already been bracing for a bitter and expensive contest. Trump's endorsement on May 19 came one week before the runoff, after he had not endorsed before the primary. The endorsement places Trump behind Paxton as the primary contest moves into its decisive runoff stage. The New York Times corroborated the Associated Press report.

Context

Cornyn is a four-term incumbent senator. He has drawn support from the Republican Party's establishment wing, while Paxton has positioned himself as the insurgent alternative aligned with Trump's political movement. The runoff has been framed inside the GOP as a contest between the party's establishment wing and its Trump-aligned insurgent base in Texas.

Paxton entered the Senate race after years of legal and political controversies, including prior impeachment proceedings in Texas. Cornyn allies have cited Paxton's history as a general-election vulnerability, raising concerns about his electability in a statewide contest. Since entering the race, Paxton has pitched himself as the more combative Make America Great Again candidate, drawing a sharp contrast with the incumbent senator.

The Associated Press reported that the race had become a proxy fight over the Republican Party's future. Trump's endorsement on May 19 came after he had not endorsed before the primary, a dynamic that the Associated Press reported Texas Republicans had been watching. The split between establishment Republicans backing Cornyn and Trump-aligned activists supporting Paxton intensified after Trump's endorsement.

What's Next

The Republican runoff election is scheduled for May 26, 2026. With both candidates having advanced from the March 3 primary, Republican voters in Texas will choose their nominee in the runoff. The contest has drawn national attention as a proxy fight over the Republican Party's future direction. The Associated Press reported that Texas Republicans were already bracing for a bitter and expensive runoff contest.

Trump's endorsement one week before the runoff intensified the split between Trump-aligned activists and Republican establishment figures backing Cornyn. The final week of the campaign will lead to the May 26 runoff where Republican voters will select their nominee. Cornyn allies have raised concerns about Paxton's electability, citing his history of legal and political controversies including prior impeachment proceedings. The runoff result will determine the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in Texas.