"Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has for much of the last year been lobbying Trump to endorse Cornyn, arguing that he would be a stronger general election candidate than Paxton, who has endured a number of scandals during his tenure as attorney general. The Thune-backed Senate Leadership Fund and its affiliates have spent tens of millions of dollars in support of Cornyn."
"For months, Trump advisers and establishment Republicans in Texas and Washington urged the president to back Cornyn because they fear Paxton is electoral poison due to his personal and ethical problems. Top Republicans say the need for Trump to endorse Cornyn is greater in the wake of state Rep. James Talarico's win over Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic Senate primary."
John Cornyn and Ken Paxton finished first and second in Texas's Republican Senate primary but neither secured a majority, triggering a May 26 runoff. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and the Senate Leadership Fund have spent tens of millions supporting Cornyn, arguing he is a stronger general election candidate than Paxton, who faces multiple scandals. Trump initially remained neutral, viewing both as allies, but is now expected to endorse Cornyn. Republicans believe this endorsement is crucial following Democrat James Talarico's primary victory, which they view as a stronger general election threat than his opponent. Neither candidate has committed to withdrawing if they fail to secure Trump's endorsement.
Read at Axios
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