President Donald Trump has endorsed Ken Paxton in Texas’ closely-watched Republican Senate runoff, delivering a major blow to John Cornyn on the second day of early voting.
In a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump praised Paxton, the current attorney general, as an “America First Patriot” and “true MAGA Warrior,” while also taking direct aim at John Cornyn over what he described as a lack of support during difficult periods of his political career.
“Ken Paxton has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from the Great State of Texas,” Trump wrote.
The endorsement ends months of speculation surrounding whether Trump would weigh in on the race between Cornyn and Paxton, one of the most closely watched Republican primary battles in the country.
Paxton had long projected confidence that he would ultimately secure Trump’s backing, while Cornyn allies argued the longtime senator remained aligned with Trump’s agenda despite past tensions between the two men.
Trump specifically highlighted Paxton’s support for eliminating the Senate filibuster and passing the SAVE America Act, a proposal Paxton himself had previously cited as justification for potentially reconsidering his Senate bid if Republicans acted on the legislation.
The endorsement also arrives just one day after Cornyn appeared to downplay the prospect of receiving Trump’s backing himself.
“I think that ship has finally sailed,” Cornyn said Monday when asked about a possible endorsement.
Trump acknowledged Cornyn positively in the post, calling him “a good man” and saying the two had worked well together, but criticized the senator for being “very late” in supporting his presidential campaign “when times were tough.”
Paxton celebrated the endorsement Tuesday afternoon, contrasting his support for Trump with Cornyn’s relationship with the president.
“I am incredibly honored to have President Trump’s complete and total endorsement,” Paxton said in a statement. “No one has fought harder for the American people than President Trump, and I look forward to championing his America First agenda in the Senate.”
“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 added. “Now, I look forward to winning this critical Senate seat and delivering victory after victory for the people of Texas.”
Cornyn responded by pointing to his history with Trump while arguing Republican voters should focus on electability in November.
“I have worked closely with President Trump through both of his Presidential terms and voted with him more than 99% of the time,” Cornyn wrote on X. “He has consistently called me a friend in this race.”
Trump’s endorsement quickly triggered additional support for Paxton. Within minutes, former Senate candidate Wesley Hunt, who finished in third place in March, endorsed Paxton as well, urging his supporters to “unite behind the next United States Senator from Texas.”
Early voting continues through Friday. Election day is Tuesday, May 26.
