Trump Endorses Ken Paxton in Texas GOP Senate Runoff Against Cornyn
President Trump endorsed scandal-plagued Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the GOP Senate primary runoff, sparking panic among Senate Republicans who fear it could jeopardize the party’s hold on the seat. The runoff, set for next week, has become a proxy battle for the GOP’s direction, with Paxton positioning as a “MAGA warrior” and Cornyn arguing electability. The winner faces Democrat James Talarico, who polls well in a traditionally Republican state.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Paxton to Meet with Thune After Defeating Cornyn in GOP Runoff
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Sunday that he will meet with Senate Majority Leader John Thune following his victory in the Republican primary runoff against incumbent Senator John Cornyn, a four-term officeholder. Since defeating Cornyn, Paxton has been in contact with Thune, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, and Republican Conference Chair Senator Tom... The meeting signals Paxton's efforts to align with Senate GOP leadership as he prepares to take office, reflecting a shift in Texas's Republican Senate representation.
Just In NewsPaxton's Landslide Win Signals End of Bush-Era Texas GOP
Ken Paxton defeated four-term incumbent Senator John Cornyn by 28 points in the Texas Republican Senate runoff, marking a decisive shift in the state's GOP from Bush-era conservatism to Trump's MAGA base. Paxton's voters turned out in similar numbers to the first primary round, while Cornyn's vote total dropped by over 400,000 (45%). Paxton surged in urban areas, gaining 30 points in Houston and 40 in El Paso compared to March. President Trump's late endorsement likely helped but was not decisive, as Paxton's lead had already widened to 7 points before the endorsement. The outcome is seen as a historic shift, with Paxton's aide calling him 'Trump before Trump was Trump.' Democratic nominee James Talarico may have a better chance against the scandal-embroiled Paxton, and the race could move Texas up Democratic Senate targets, though Paxton retains strong base appeal.
BrookingsPaxton's Landslide Win Signals End of Bush-Era Texas GOP
Ken Paxton defeated four-term incumbent Senator John Cornyn by 28 points in the Texas Republican Senate runoff, marking a decisive shift in the state's GOP from Bush-era conservatism to Trump's MAGA base. Paxton's voters turned out in similar numbers to the first round, while Cornyn's vote total dropped by over 400,000 (45%). Paxton surged in urban areas, gaining 30 points in Houston and 40 in El Paso compared to March. President Trump's late endorsement likely helped but was not decisive, as Paxton's lead had already widened to 8 points before the endorsement. The outcome makes Texas a more competitive target for Democrats, as nominee James Talarico is seen as having a better chance against the scandal-embroiled Paxton than against Cornyn. However, Paxton has strong base appeal, while national Republicans fear diverting funds to defend the seat.
BrookingsTalarico Raises $3 Million in 24 Hours After Paxton Wins GOP Runoff
Texas Senate Democratic candidate James Talarico announced on Thursday that his campaign raised over $3 million in just 24 hours following Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's victory in the Republican primary runoff against incumbent Senator John Cornyn on Tuesday. Talarico attributed the surge to grassroots support from working people across Texas, claiming it shattered fundraising records. The rapid influx of donations highlights the intensity of the upcoming general election race in Texas, as Democrats rally behind Talarico to challenge the Republican nominee.
Just In NewsTrump Victory in Texas Primary Pressures Senate GOP Leaders
President Trump's victory in the Texas GOP primary, marked by Senator John Cornyn's decisive loss, has significantly increased pressure on Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other Senate Republicans to advance Trump's legislative agenda. Republican strategists view Cornyn's lopsided defeat as a major setback for Senate GOP leaders, who invested tens of millions of dollars in the race. The outcome strengthens Trump's leverage over the Senate Republican conference, signaling that failure to deliver on his priorities could have political consequences for incumbents.
Just In NewsThune urges Senate GOP to back Paxton after primary defeat of Cornyn
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is urging fellow Senate Republicans to support Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the general election, following Paxton's primary defeat of incumbent Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) on Tuesday. In a radio interview with Hugh Hewitt on Wednesday, Thune emphasized that maintaining the Republican Senate majority is paramount. He noted that Paxton's general election opponent is Democrat James Talarico. Thune's call represents a significant shift in GOP leadership dynamics, as Cornyn had been a long-serving senator and Thune is now pivoting party resources and support to the primary winner to ensure the seat remains in Republican hands.
Just In NewsKen Paxton's Primary Victory Shows How Trump's Grudges Undermine His Party's Interests
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary runoff for the U.S. Senate, winning 64% of the vote. The reversal from the first round, where Cornyn led by two points, is attributed to Donald Trump's last-minute endorsement of Paxton. Trump cited Paxton's loyalty and Cornyn's past criticisms, including comments from 2016 and 2020. Cornyn, a four-term senator with a solid conservative record, had never lost an election. The article argues that Trump's influence over primary voters, driven by personal vendettas, may hurt the Republican Party's general election prospects, as Paxton is a divisive and scandal-plagued candidate who will face Democrat James Talarico in November.
Reason.comKen Paxton's Primary Victory Shows How Trump's Grudges Undermine His Party's Interests
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary runoff on May 26, 2026, winning 64% of the vote. This marked a dramatic reversal from the first round, where Cornyn led by two points. The shift is attributed to Donald Trump's last-minute endorsement of Paxton, driven by Trump's grievances over Cornyn's past criticisms during the 2016 campaign and later comments. Cornyn, a four-term senator with a solid conservative record and never before losing an election, was deemed insufficiently loyal by Trump. The article argues that Trump's influence over primary voters, despite his low national approval ratings, prioritizes personal vendettas over party interests, potentially jeopardizing Republican chances in the general election against Democratic nominee James Talarico.
Reason.comInside The Paxton-Talarico Showdown: Texas Senate Race Will Be 'Very Nasty And Very Expensive'
In the Texas GOP primary runoff for Senate, Attorney General Ken Paxton decisively defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn, despite Cornyn significantly outspending him. Paxton's victory was bolstered by a last-minute endorsement from former President Donald Trump, which came a week before voters returned to the polls and after early voting had already begun. Dr. Merrill Matthews, Texas State Chair at Our Republican Legacy, discussed the results on Forbes Newsroom, predicting that the general election matchup between Paxton and Democratic state Representative James Talarico will be 'very nasty and very expensive.' The article highlights the influence of Trump's endorsement in a race where the incumbent was heavily outspent.
Forbes - BusinessRepublicans Scrub Critical Posts After Ken Paxton Wins Texas Senate Primary
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won the Republican Senate primary on May 26, 2026, defeating incumbent Senator John Cornyn. Paxton will face Democrat James Talarico in the November general election. Following his victory, the National Republican Senatorial Committee and other conservative groups deleted at least eight social media posts criticizing Paxton, including a July 2025 statement condemning his divorce from Angela Paxton on 'biblical grounds' and a post titled 'Ken Paxton’s Lies and Incompetence Keep Piling Up' citing an AP investigation into mortgage fraud. Paxton's win was aided by a late endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who praised Paxton's loyalty. Paxton has a history of scandal, including impeachment by the Texas House in 2023 on corruption charges.
The New RepublicRepublicans Scrub Past Criticism After Ken Paxton Wins Texas Senate Primary
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won the Republican Senate primary on May 26, 2026, defeating incumbent John Cornyn. Paxton will face Democrat James Talarico in the November general election. Following his victory, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and other conservative groups deleted at least eight social media posts criticizing Paxton, including a July 2025 statement condemning his divorce on 'biblical grounds' and a post titled 'Ken Paxton’s Lies and Incompetence Keep Piling Up' that cited an AP investigation into mortgage fraud. Paxton's win was bolstered by a late endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who praised Paxton's loyalty. Paxton has a history of scandal, including impeachment by the Texas House in 2023 on corruption charges.
The New RepublicRepublicans Scramble to Erase Criticism of Ken Paxton After Primary Win
Ken Paxton won the Texas Republican Senate primary on May 26, 2026, defeating incumbent John Cornyn. Following his victory, establishment Republicans and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) deleted at least eight social media posts criticizing Paxton, including a July 2025 statement condemning his divorce and a post about his lies and incompetence. Paxton's win was aided by a late endorsement from Donald Trump, who praised Paxton's loyalty. Paxton, a controversial figure with a history of scandal including a 2023 impeachment for corruption, will face Democrat James Talarico in the November general election.
The New RepublicTexas GOP Primary: Paxton Defeats Cornyn, Shifting Senate Race Dynamics
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won the Republican Senate primary on Tuesday, defeating incumbent Senator John Cornyn by a 64% to 36% margin despite being outspent by approximately $80 million. Paxton's victory, boosted by a last-minute endorsement from President Donald Trump, is described as a political earthquake that will have national repercussions. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report immediately shifted its Texas Senate forecast from 'likely Republican' to 'lean Republican,' indicating a more competitive general election. Democratic candidate state Rep. James Talarico now has a fighting chance, according to analysts. In other notable Texas Democratic primaries, former Rep. Colin Allred unseated Rep. Julie Johnson, and Rep. Christian Menefee defeated 11-term Rep. Al Green. Paxton faces allegations of corruption and ethical issues but remains a strong contender in the solidly red state.
TheWeek feedTexas GOP Picks Paxton, Putting Senate Seat and Majority in Play
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won the Republican Senate primary on Tuesday, defeating incumbent Senator John Cornyn 64% to 36% despite being outspent by $80 million. The upset, boosted by a last-minute endorsement from President Donald Trump, was described as a political earthquake that will reverberate nationally. Democrats and Trump both welcomed the outcome, as Democrats believe Paxton's polarizing record gives their candidate, state Rep. James Talarico, a fighting chance in November. In other Texas Democratic primaries, former Rep. Colin Allred unseated Rep. Julie Johnson, and Rep. Christian Menefee beat 11-term Rep. Al Green. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report shifted the Texas Senate race from 'likely Republican' to 'lean Republican,' signaling increased competitiveness. Paxton faces ongoing allegations of corruption and financial malfeasance but still stands a decent chance in solidly red Texas.
TheWeek feedTexas GOP Primary: Ken Paxton Defeats John Cornyn, Shifts Senate Race to Competitive
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won the Republican Senate primary on Tuesday, defeating incumbent Senator John Cornyn 64% to 36% despite being outspent by $80 million. The upset, boosted by a last-minute endorsement from President Donald Trump, is described as a political earthquake that will reverberate nationally. Democrats and Trump both welcomed the outcome, as Paxton's polarizing reputation and ethical troubles give Democratic candidate James Talarico a fighting chance in November. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report shifted its Texas Senate forecast from 'likely' to 'lean' Republican. In other notable Texas Democratic primaries, former Rep. Colin Allred unseated Rep. Julie Johnson, and former sheriff's deputy Johnny Garcia defeated a controversial candidate funded by a GOP-backed super PAC. Analysts note Paxton still stands a decent chance in solidly red Texas despite facing allegations of corruption and infidelity.
TheWeek feedKen Paxton defeats John Cornyn in Texas Republican Senate runoff after Trump endorsement
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate primary runoff on May 26, 2026, following President Donald Trump's endorsement of Paxton just one week earlier. The Associated Press projected Paxton's victory as polls closed. The result marks another success in Trump's campaign against Republican lawmakers he views as insufficiently loyal, following similar outcomes against Senator Bill Cassidy in Louisiana and Representative Thomas Massie in Kentucky. Paxton, who has faced impeachment, securities fraud indictment, and a recent divorce, will face Democratic state legislator James Talarico in the November general election. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and DSCC Chair Kirsten Gillibrand expressed optimism about defeating Paxton, citing his ethical and legal troubles. The race is expected to be one of the most expensive in the nation as control of the Senate hangs in the balance.
US Top News and AnalysisTrump congratulates Paxton, Cornyn: 'John will remain my friend for a long time to come'
President Trump congratulated Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for defeating incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Texas GOP Senate primary runoff. Paxton secured 63.8% of the vote to Cornyn's 36.2%. Despite the loss, Trump stated that Cornyn 'will remain my friend for a long time to come,' indicating continued personal ties despite the political outcome.
Just In NewsSen. John Cornyn loses Texas primary after public falling out with President Trump
Senator John Cornyn of Texas lost his Republican primary election by double digits to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, becoming the latest incumbent to fall after a public falling out with President Donald Trump. Despite spending nearly $100 million on his campaign and touting a 99% voting record with Trump, Cornyn could not overcome Trump's endorsement of Paxton, whom Trump called 'a true MAGA Warrior.' Trump wrote on social media that Cornyn 'was VERY disloyal to me.' Cornyn had attempted to appease Trump by reversing his long-held support for the filibuster to advance voting restrictions, championing border wall funding, and proposing to rename a highway after Trump. However, a 2023 comment that 'Trump's time has passed him by' resurfaced. Cornyn's loss follows a pattern of Trump successfully backing primary challengers against incumbents in Indiana, Louisiana, and Kentucky who broke with his agenda.
Fortune | FORTUNETrump-Backed Ken Paxton Wins Texas Republican Primary Runoff
In the US state of Texas, Trump-backed candidate Ken Paxton won the Republican primary runoff election on May 26, 2026, defeating incumbent Senator John Cornyn. Cornyn had fallen out of favor with Trump after calling him 'unelectable' following the January 6 Capitol storming. Paxton, the current Texas Attorney General, is considered a weak candidate due to multiple corruption scandals and an extramarital affair that led to divorce, but Trump's endorsement proved decisive. His Democratic opponent James Talarico is seen as a potential upset candidate in the general election. The article notes that despite the ongoing Iran war and resulting price increases, Trump's influence over the Republican base remains strong. Other Trump opponents, including Senator Bill Cassidy in Louisiana and Representative Thomas Massie in Kentucky, also lost their primaries. However, Trump faced a small defeat in Alabama, where a court ruled that a Republican-backed district map discriminated against black voters.
taz.de - taz.deTrump-Backed Ken Paxton Wins Texas Republican Senate Primary
In the Texas Republican Senate primary runoff on May 26, 2026, Trump-endorsed candidate Ken Paxton defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn, who had criticized Trump after the January 6 Capitol riot. Paxton, the state's attorney general since 2015, is known for suing the Biden administration and facing corruption allegations, though he was acquitted in an impeachment trial. His Democratic opponent James Talarico is considered a potential upset candidate. The victory underscores Trump's continued influence over the Republican base despite the ongoing Iran war and economic pressures. Similar Trump-backed victories occurred in Louisiana and Kentucky, while a defeat came in Alabama where a court ruled a Republican-drawn district map discriminated against black voters.
taz.de - taz.de