Breaking
President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Republican primary race for U.S. Senate, giving Paxton a major boost in his effort to defeat incumbent Senator John Cornyn. The endorsement came as Paxton and Cornyn moved toward a runoff after neither candidate won a majority in the earlier primary.
Trump announced his support on social media, writing, “Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate.” According to the Associated Press, the endorsement news broke during a Paxton campaign event in Allen, Texas, where supporters cheered and celebrated as the announcement spread.
Details & Background
The Texas race has become one of the most closely watched Republican contests in the nation. Paxton, the state’s attorney general, has built his reputation as a combative conservative aligned with Trump and the grassroots base. Cornyn, a longtime senator, has been backed by many figures in the Republican establishment and has argued that his experience makes him the stronger general election candidate.
Trump’s endorsement changes the race’s final phase by giving Paxton the most powerful signal in Republican primary politics. The Associated Press reported that early voting had already begun and that the runoff was set for the following week, making the timing especially significant. Paxton responded at the event by saying, “I have so much respect for the president and appreciate so much his endorsement.”
Reactions
Trump contrasted the two candidates while making clear that he viewed Paxton as the fighter needed for the moment. The Houston Chronicle reported that Trump described Paxton as a “strong America First conservative” and highlighted his support for key Republican priorities, including border security, domestic energy production, conservative education policy, tax policy, and ending the Senate filibuster.
Trump also said of Cornyn, “John Cornyn is a good man, and I worked well with him, but he was not supportive of me when times were tough.” He added, “Ken Paxton has gone through a lot, in many cases unfairly, but he is a fighter,” saying the country needs leaders who will fight and deliver results.
Why This Matters to You
For conservative voters, this endorsement is a direct message about the future of the Republican Party. Trump is siding with the candidate he sees as more aligned with the MAGA movement, the America First agenda, and the kind of Senate leadership needed to confront Democrats, the bureaucracy, and weak Republicans who fold under pressure.
The government should be responding to voter demands on border security, energy independence, lower taxes, safer communities, and a justice system that treats conservatives fairly. A Senate seat from Texas carries national weight, and the outcome of this race could shape how forcefully Republicans advance Trump’s agenda in Washington. With the runoff closing in, Trump’s endorsement has turned this contest into a defining test of whether the GOP base wants continuity — or a fighter ready to shake up the Senate.