With just a week before the Texas Senate Republican runoff, Donald Trump has endorsed scandal-ridden Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).
“Ken Paxton has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from the Great State of Texas,” Trump wrote on Truth Social today.
Breaking News: President Trump endorsed Ken Paxton for Senate in Texas just a week before his primary runoff against Senator John Cornyn. https://t.co/s6LIYfdXVJ
— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 19, 2026
Via the New York Times:
Mr. Trump’s decision to oppose a respected veteran senator comes as he has sought to consolidate power over his party in primaries ahead of the fall midterm elections.
But national Republican leaders have warned Mr. Trump — both in private and in public — that nominating the scandal-tarred Mr. Paxton could put the Texas Senate seat in play.
Senate leaders, national Republicans and many Democrats see Mr. Paxton as the weaker candidate in a general election, given his history of indictment, impeachment and accusations of marital infidelity.
Democrats have nominated James Talarico, a state legislator and seminarian who has emerged as one of the party’s best fund-raisers. Mr. Talarico has made outreach to independent voters a central part of his pitch.
In 2023, the Texas House impeached Paxton on 16 articles, heavily accusing him of bribery and abuse of office. The state Senate voted to acquit him.
In 2015, Paxton was indicted on felony securities fraud charges related to soliciting investors for a tech startup without disclosing he was being paid by the firm.
In 2025, Paxton’s wife, State Senator Angela Paxton, filed for divorce on biblical grounds, citing adultery.
Trump endorses serial fraudster and habitual adulterer Ken Paxton for senate, because they have a lot in common. pic.twitter.com/GvfejaQVEN
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 19, 2026
A new poll released Monday found that in a hypothetical general election matchup, Cornyn holds a one percent lead over Talarico – 45% to 44%. That same survey found Paxton and Talarico tied at 45% each among likely voters.
But Talarico is viewed favorably by 46% of likely Texas voters and unfavorably by 35%, while Paxton is viewed favorably by 42% and unfavorably by 48%.
Republicans currently hold a 53 seat majority in the Senate. Democrats would need to flip four of those to claim a majority this fall.
Republican Senate Majority Leader Thune seems disappointed when asked about Trump endorsing Ken Paxton:
“None of us control what the President does. He made his decision about that. That doesn’t change the way I feel.” pic.twitter.com/rzJhBCFCrS
— Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) May 19, 2026
A Texas-sized shock: President Trump endorses Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn in the pivotal Texas GOP Senate runoff. @mkraju says many Senate Republicans are furious and fearful the decision will cost the party the seat. pic.twitter.com/6tl9tNlpcL
— Inside Politics (@InsidePolitics) May 19, 2026
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