In brief
In a surprising move, Donald Trump has endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as he challenges incumbent Senator John Cornyn in a high-stakes Republican primary. While some view Paxton as a politically weaker candidate, Trump's support reflects deeper party divisions. Cornyn's allies are concerned about the implications of this endorsement on their chances in the upcoming elections, especially given Paxton's controversial past and ongoing legal challenges.
U.S. President Donald Trump has endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his bid to unseat incumbent Senator John Cornyn in next Tuesday's Republican primary run-off race. By siding with Paxton, Trump is supporting a Texas politician who has long been a close ally of the president – but also one who comes with considerable political baggage. Many Democrats have viewed Paxton as the weaker of the two candidates and relish what they believe is an opportunity to flip a Senate seat in a state that has a longstanding history of electing Republicans. Trump's move dismayed Cornyn's fellow Senate Republicans, many of whom have served with the Texan for decades and view him as a friend and ally. Maine Senator Susan Collins called Paxton 'ethically challenged,' while Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski said she was 'supremely disappointed.' Trump, however, appears to have different preferences, supporting a Texas politician who has been a staunch ally of his, even backing Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Paxton also traveled to New York City to rally for Trump during his 2024 trial regarding hush-money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.Like Trump, Paxton has a political history marked by scandal and legal challenges, establishing a reputation as a political survivor. He recently settled a federal corruption indictment without admitting misconduct and was impeached by the Republican-controlled Texas legislature in 2023 for alleged fraud and obstruction of justice, though he was acquitted in a state Senate trial. Last year, his wife filed for divorce amid allegations of multiple affairs.'I know Ken well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a winner!' Trump wrote on his Truth Social website. 'John Cornyn is a good man, and I worked well with him, but he was not supportive of me when times were tough.' On Tuesday, Cornyn posted on X that he had voted with Trump more than 99% of the time, urging Texas Republican voters to choose a strong nominee.This isn’t the first recent example of Trump backing a challenger against an incumbent Republican. The stakes of the Texas primary are particularly high, as the winner will go on to face Democrat James Talarico in the general election, marking an opportunity to alter the political landscape in a traditionally GOP stronghold. As early voting begins, the matchup between Paxton and Cornyn demonstrates both the fissures within the Republican Party and the ever-complex dynamics of Trump’s endorsement in the current political climate.
