President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 19 in the Republican primary runoff against incumbent Senator John Cornyn for the US Senate seat from Texas [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. Trump praised Paxton as a "true MAGA Warrior" and stated, "Ken Paxton has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from the Great State of Texas – KEN PAXTON WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!" [2]. He added, "Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate" and said Paxton would work to "Cut Taxes and Regulations" [3].
Trump criticized Cornyn for not supporting him during difficult times, saying, "John Cornyn is a good man, and I worked well with him, but he was not supportive of me when times were tough" [1]. Cornyn has a voting record aligned with Trump over 99% of the time but failed to secure Trump's endorsement this election cycle [1, 3, 6]. Cornyn responded by telling voters, "It is now time for Texas Republican voters to decide if they want a strong nominee to help our GOP candidates down ballot and defeat Talarico in November, or a weak nominee who jeopardizes everything we care about" [1].
In the March 3 primary, Cornyn led with about 42-43% of the vote, just ahead of Paxton's close 41%, forcing a runoff as neither reached a majority [2, 3, 4, 6]. The runoff election is set for May 26, with early voting already underway from May 18 and ending May 23 [3, 5, 7].
Paxton carries political baggage including a 2023 impeachment by the Texas legislature, though he was later acquitted, as well as a federal corruption indictment that was settled without an admission of guilt and other allegations of personal scandals [1, 3, 4, 7]. Trump acknowledged Paxton's challenges but called him "a winner" who has been "tested at the highest and most difficult levels" [1].
On the Democratic side, nominee James Talarico emerged as a strong challenger after winning his primary, raising $27 million in the first quarter and campaigning with a focus on working-class issues [3, 4, 5, 6]. On May 20, Trump mocked Talarico publicly, saying, "You can’t get elected as a vegan in Texas" and highlighting the Democrat's socially liberal views [8]. Talarico responded, "Our movement to take back Texas for working people rises above party politics — because the biggest fight in this country is not left versus right, it’s top versus bottom" [6].
Polls show mixed results for the runoff race. A Lone Star Liberty PAC survey indicated Paxton leading by 11 points, while a Texans for a Conservative Majority poll showed Cornyn ahead by 1 point [4]. For the November general election, some polls suggest Talarico is competitive, while others rate the seat as likely Republican [4, 5, 7]. Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate majority before this election [3, 7].
Early voting in the Texas Republican Senate runoff will end May 23. The winner will face James Talarico in the November general election [1, 3, 5, 6, 7].
