Trump Endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Senate GOP Runoff

President Donald Trump has officially endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Republican primary runoff for the U.S. Senate. The endorsement, announced on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, marks a significant development in the contest against incumbent Senator John Cornyn, intensifying the race just one week before the election.

A Strategic Shift in the Texas Senate Race

The endorsement comes as Texas voters are already casting their ballots. Early voting for the runoff began on Monday, May 18, 2026, and is scheduled to continue through the end of the week. Tens of thousands of ballots have already been processed as the two candidates compete to secure the Republican nomination.

In his endorsement, President Trump highlighted Paxton’s alignment with his “America First” agenda. “Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate,” Trump wrote on social media. The president specifically praised Paxton’s support for ending the Senate filibuster and his backing of the party’s signature voting restrictions legislation.

Contrasting Positions on the Incumbent

While endorsing Paxton, President Trump addressed his relationship with Senator John Cornyn. Trump acknowledged Cornyn’s service but expressed dissatisfaction regarding the senator’s past support. “John Cornyn is a good man, and I worked well with him, but he was not supportive of me when times were tough,” Trump stated, referencing what he characterized as a delay in Cornyn’s backing during his presidential campaigns.

Ken Paxton welcomed the support, stating he was honored by the endorsement. “I have consistently stood by President Trump, even when the Washington establishment and career politicians like John Cornyn turned their back on the President,” Paxton said in a statement. He added that he looks forward to “championing his America First agenda in the Senate.”

The Path to the Runoff

The primary runoff follows a competitive initial round on March 3, 2026, where neither candidate secured an absolute majority. According to reporting, Senator Cornyn held a narrow lead over Attorney General Paxton, with 42% of the vote compared to Paxton’s 41%. The winner of the upcoming May 26 runoff will advance to the general election to face Democrat James Talarico.

The endorsement from the former president is widely viewed as a pivotal moment in the campaign. With the election approaching, both candidates are intensifying their efforts to mobilize voters in what has become a high-stakes contest for the future of the Texas Republican Party.

Key Takeaways

• Endorsement: President Donald Trump has endorsed Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Senator John Cornyn.
• Runoff Timeline: The primary runoff election is scheduled for May 26, 2026.
• Voting Status: Early voting is currently underway and will conclude at the end of the week.
• General Election: The nominee will face Democrat James Talarico in the fall.

This report is based on verified information regarding the May 2026 Texas Senate Republican primary runoff. As the election cycle continues, further updates will be provided as results become available.