Trump Endorsement Pursuit by Ken Paxton Across Distance
As early August 2025 approaches, the Texas Republican Senate primary between incumbent Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton is shaping up to be a closely-watched contest. Despite the president's close attention to the race and its implications for the GOP's Senate majority after the 2026 midterm elections, President Donald Trump has yet to make a public endorsement in the race [1][2][3].
Ken Paxton, who leads most polls and enjoys strong support among hardline, pro-Trump voters in Texas, appears to be the frontrunner. However, concerns within the Republican establishment about Paxton’s legal troubles and electability have led many, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, to back Cornyn [1][3]. Trump’s team reportedly prioritizes winning and electability over loyalty alone, which keeps the endorsement uncertain [1].
Recent developments, such as the public announcement of a divorce filing by Paxton’s wife, have added turmoil to the race, potentially giving Cornyn an opening to gain favour. Another figure, GOP Rep. Wesley Hunt, may also split the pro-Trump vote, adding complexity to Trump's decision whether or not to endorse [1].
Paxton has accused Cornyn of turning his back on Trump, particularly during his legal challenges. In contrast, Paxton has demonstrated unflinching loyalty to the president. The battle between the two has been one of the early marquee primary contests in the midterm election cycle [4].
Senator John Cornyn has described Ken Paxton's Senate race as a "con man's vanity project" [5]. Both candidates have repeatedly invoked Trump in their respective campaigns. In a private encounter at Trump Turnberry, a luxury golf resort, Trump and Paxton spoke for several minutes about the Texas Senate race [6].
Trump’s endorsement could be based on who is in a stronger position to prevent Democrats from picking up a Senate seat. Paxton believes that an endorsement from Trump would further tilt the race in his favour and essentially end Cornyn's chances of reelection [1]. However, Trump has so far remained a spectator rather than an active endorser [2].
A pro-Paxton PAC aired its first TV ad in Palm Beach, Florida, near Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. The White House initially denied any such encounter took place between Trump and Paxton, but a Republican strategist close to the White House suggested that winning is the most important factor in Trump's mindset for any endorsement [7].
As the Texas Senate primary race heats up, the anticipation for Trump's endorsement continues to grow. The strategic considerations about the general election and the GOP's Senate majority play a key role in Trump's decision-making [1][2][3][4]. Paxton is holding strong advantages over GOP Sen. John Cornyn in next March's primary, but the race remains wide open until Trump makes his move.
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/12/us/politics/trump-texas-senate-race.html [2] https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/20/trump-texas-senate-race-endorsement-00063930 [3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/25/trump-texas-senate-race-endorsement-uncertain/ [4] https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/28/politics/trump-texas-senate-race-endorsement/index.html [5] https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/01/cornyn-paxton-trump-294321 [6] https://www.axios.com/2025/07/15/trump-paxton-scotland-meeting-texas-senate-race [7] https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/03/trump-texas-senate-race-endorsement-strategy-00064100
- The ongoing Texas Senate primary between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton is not only a closely-watched contest within politics but also has implications for policy-and-legislation and the GOP's Senate majority after the 2026 midterm elections.
- Amidst war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice news, the Texas Senate race has been one of the early marquee primary contests in the midterm election cycle, with Ken Paxton, despite legal troubles and electability concerns, leading most polls and enjoying strong support among pro-Trump voters.
- Migration and accidents, such as car-accidents and fires, have taken a backseat as general-news outlets follow the developments in the Texas Senate race, with Paxton and Cornyn repeatedly invoking Donald Trump in their campaigns.
- The endorsement of Donald Trump in the Texas Senate race could sway the election towards the candidate who is perceived to be in a stronger position to prevent Democrats from picking up a Senate seat.
- As the Texas Senate primary race heats up, the anticipation for Trump's endorsement continues to grow, adding another layer of complexity to the already turbulent race, potentially impacting the car-accidents, fires, and general-news that dominate much of the news cycle.
