President Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas senate runoff – WECT | TV6
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, just days before he faces off against Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in a runoff election.
Trump announced his support in a Truth Social post, writing that Paxton “is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate.”
After the post, during a White House press briefing, Vice President JD Vance said Paxton’s loyalty earned him the president’s support.
“When it really counted, Ken Paxton was there for the country, was there for the president, and that’s why he ultimately earned the president’s endorsement,” Vance said.
Jessica Taylor, the Senate and Governors Editor of the Cook Political Report, said Paxton’s support for Trump has been unwavering.
“Ken Paxton has been a loyal foot soldier, even when Trump was at his weakest point, post-January 6th,” Taylor said.
After the endorsement, Paxton called it “the most significant endorsement of his lifetime” that has a “tremendous impact” on the race.
Trump also criticized Cornyn in the post, saying he “was not supportive when time were tough.”
Taylor said the endorsement could be decisive.
“It would be a major shock to me if Cornyn were to win at this juncture,” Taylor said.
But later in the day at a campaign event in Lubbock, Cornyn said that the race is not over.
“We’re not giving up the fight. I know who gets to choose our senators. And it’s the people of Texas. And there’s no substitute for that,” Cornyn said.
Cornyn has argued that nominating Paxton could put the reliably Republican seat in jeopardy because of past scandals including an impeachment and accusations of infidelity.
A recent Texas Southern University poll shows both candidates could face a tough general election against Democratic nominee, state Rep. James Talarcio.
“It was a tie,” said Michael Adams, a political science professor at the university. “And certainly that gives a lot of optimism. If you look at those numbers in terms of what do they mean… for the Democratic Party.”
