The Republican Senate Candidate Who Could Lose Texas

Trump took 11 weeks to decide between Senator John Cornyn and State Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate primary runoff. When Trump finally endorsed Paxton, supporters at a Tex-Mex restaurant reacted enthusiastically, reading his Truth Social post aloud, waving arms, and celebrating with music and free margaritas while waiting for Paxton’s meet-and-greet. The endorsement arrived as Republicans faced political pressure from gas prices, inflation, and the war with Iran. Paxton’s background includes being indicted, impeached, and accused of unfaithfulness. In Washington, Senate Republicans reacted with anger, but Texas Republicans embraced the endorsement as a major prize, reflecting loyalty without questioning. The choice is seen as rewarding devotion and likely securing Paxton’s primary victory.

"Trump took 11 weeks to choose between Senator John Cornyn and State Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate primary runoff-so long that most people figured he'd never actually decide. Which is why, when Trump finally endorsed Paxton on Tuesday, the news hit a crowd of Republican retirees at a Tex-Mex restaurant like manna from the MAGA heavens."

"Paxton was due that day for a meet-and-greet at Matt's Rancho Martinez in Allen, but he was running late. Suddenly, the sound system, which had been vibrating gently with a selection of the Country Top 40, began blasting "Y.M.C.A." People read Trump's Truth Social post aloud from their phones and waved their arms in time with the president's unofficial anthem."

"Donald Trump is a historically unpopular politician. Gas prices, high inflation, and the war with Iran have all systems flashing fire-engine red for Republicans in November. Yet here was the president, throwing his political weight behind Paxton-a man who has been indicted, impeached, and allegedly unfaithful to his wife."

"In Washington, D.C., Senate Republicans were apoplectic at the president's casual betrayal of one of their own. But here at the Rancho, an endorsement from Trump was welcomed like a hug from Oprah or the title of "Sole Survivor," an American prize of inestimable value. These Texas Republicans love their attorney general the way that they love Trump: wholeheartedly, with no questions asked."

Read at The Atlantic