Former President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn in the 2026 Texas Senate primary runoff.
The endorsement signals a break between Trump and Cornyn, a three-term Republican who has held the Senate seat since 2002. Trump’s backing gives Paxton, a longtime ally, a significant boost in the competitive race.
Paxton has positioned himself as a staunch conservative fighter, echoing Trump’s grievances about the 2020 election and the federal justice system. Cornyn, meanwhile, has focused on his seniority and legislative record, including work on judicial confirmations.
The runoff election will be held on May 26, 2026, after no candidate secured a majority in the March primary. The timing of Trump’s endorsement adds momentum to Paxton’s campaign in the final week before the vote.
The race has become a test of Trump’s influence within the Republican Party, especially in a reliably red state like Texas. Cornyn had previously avoided direct confrontation with the former president.
Paxton faces his own legal challenges, including a separate federal securities fraud trial, which his campaign has dismissed as politically motivated. The endorsement suggests Trump is willing to back a friend over a party establishment figure.
The outcome of the runoff will have national implications, shaping the GOP’s direction ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Both candidates have emphasized their loyalty to Trump, but the endorsement has drawn a clear line between their campaigns.
