Trump backs Ken Paxton in crucial Texas Republican Senate run-off

"United States President Donald Trump has endorsed Texas State Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Republican run-off to represent the state of Texas in the US Senate in advance of next week's Republican primary. In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Donald Trump said that Paxton has been extremely loyal to me and our AMAZING MAGA MOVEMENT while also saying that his opponent, incumbent John Cornyn, was not supportive of him when times were tough."

"In March, Trump said the candidate who did not earn his endorsement should DROP OUT OF THE RACE. In order to clinch the party nomination in Texas, a candidate must win a clear majority. Neither candidate met that threshold in the state's primary election in early March. Texas also has open primaries, meaning a voter does not have to be a member of a given political party to vote in that party's primary. However, voters must pledge to vote only in one party's primary election."

"Paxton has long been the favourite to take the state's Republican nomination, but faces a tighter race in the general election. Paxton, 63, has never lost an election despite his political career facing waves of controversy, including adultery and facing indictment on felony securities fraud charges. Paxton was also impeached, including by members of his own party."

"Recent polls have the Republican run-off as a tight race. An early May poll from Texans for a Conservative Majority, a super PAC aligned with Senator Cornyn, 74, had the incumbent leading by 1 point. Meanwhile, a Lone Star Liberty PAC poll, backed by a pro-Paxton Super PAC, showed the attorney general leading by 11 points. More independent polls, like one from the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs, showed Paxton with a 3-point advantage."

Donald Trump endorsed Texas State Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Republican runoff for the U.S. Senate seat, ahead of next week’s Republican primary. Trump said Paxton was extremely loyal to him and the MAGA movement, while describing incumbent John Cornyn as not supportive when times were tough. In March, Trump said candidates who did not receive his endorsement should drop out, and Texas requires a clear majority to win the party nomination. Neither candidate reached that threshold in the early March primary. Texas open primaries allow voters to choose a party primary but require pledging to vote only in one party’s primary. Polls show a tight runoff, with results ranging from a 1-point Cornyn lead to an 11-point Paxton lead. Republicans worry about Paxton’s prospects in the general election due to past controversies, including adultery, impeachment, and felony securities fraud indictment.

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