Put out the lights, the party’s over.
President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) on the second day of early voting for their U.S. Senate Republican primary runoff.
“Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate,” Trump stated in a 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,” Trump added.
Paxton responded shortly after Trump’s announcement, stating via an X post, “I am incredibly honored to have President Trump’s COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT.”
“No one has ever fought harder for the American people than President Trump, and I look forward to championing his America First agenda in the Senate!”
Cornyn and Paxton headed to a runoff after the March 3 primary election resulted in them being the top two candidates, although neither collected a majority, with Congressman Wesley Hunt (R-TX-38) knocked out of the contest.
Early voting for the primary runoff began on Monday and will conclude on Friday. Election day is on May 26.
Trump’s endorsement in the race was long-awaited, as he has repeatedly teased the possibility of one and suggested both candidates are strong supporters of his — a claim the two have intentionally aimed to prove in their campaigning.
Paxton already had a substantial lead over Cornyn, but this drives the final nail into Cornyn’s coffin. He’s toast. The fat lady isn’t warming up in the wings, she’s already climbed into her 2009 diesel-powered Jetta and driven back to Dusseldorf. Ken Paxton will be the official Republican nominee and can start concentrating on beating the truly strange Democrat nominee James Talarico in November.
Tags: 2026 Election, 2026 Texas Senate Race, Donald Trump, Elections, Endorsements, James Talarico, John Cornyn, Ken Paxton, Republicans, runoff
Better late than never.