In Texas, Republican voters faced a decision in a runoff election for a U.S. Senate nominee. The contest put state Attorney General Ken Paxton against four-term Senator John Cornyn, highlighting internal divisions within the GOP. Former President Donald Trump’s late endorsement of Paxton intensified the race, as he aimed to oust Cornyn, who he perceived as insufficiently loyal.
Trump’s influence remains strong among Republican primary voters. His endorsement of Paxton came after early voting started, but it already bolstered Paxton’s campaign. This scenario follows Trump’s recent support for challengers in Louisiana, Kentucky, and Indiana, where he also opposed current Republican leaders.
Despite this, Cornyn’s campaign poured approximately $90 million into advertising, mainly targeting Paxton with criticism. Cornyn also acknowledged the impact of Trump’s endorsement but maintained his commitment to letting Texas voters make the final decision. The winner will face Democratic state Representative James Talarico in November’s general election.
The ongoing primary has been marked by negativity and high costs. Cornyn led the March primary but didn’t secure a dominant majority over Paxton and fellow candidate U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt. Cornyn’s campaign has persistently attacked Paxton over ethical concerns that resurfaced during Paxton’s 2023 impeachment trial, where he was acquitted.
Trump’s public endorsements of figures loyal to him have involved critical remarks against opponents. For instance, he criticized Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy and Rep. Thomas Massie after their falls in primaries where Trump-backed candidates emerged victorious. In endorsing Paxton, Trump emphasized his support, contrasting it with Cornyn’s past criticisms.
Texas Republican strategist Tyler Norris noted that the runoff’s negative tone could suppress voter turnout, potentially favoring Paxton. He highlighted that Paxton’s support draws from Trump’s core base, which could be more motivated to vote despite the election’s timing, immediately following Memorial Day.
Senate GOP leaders supported Cornyn, citing his prospective strength in the general election. Some strategists suggested that a Paxton nomination could require substantial financial resources that might otherwise save Republican seats in more competitive regions.
Democratic Primaries in Texas
The primaries also involved selecting Democratic nominees for U.S. House seats. Notably, in Texas’ 18th District, newly elected Rep. Christian Menefee contested veteran Rep. Al Green for the party nomination. The redistricting led to incumbents competing, adding complexity to the elections in the Houston area.
Additionally, former Rep. Colin Allred and U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson vied for the nomination in the Dallas-area 33rd District. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders near San Antonio sought to prevent Maureen Galindo, criticized for antisemitic remarks, from securing a nomination. The Democrats view the area as open to their influence despite recent redistricting aiming to favor Republicans.