Ken Paxton Is Still Very Much in the Texas Senate Race

"The Save America Act is the most important bill the U.S. Senate could ever pass, and I'm committed to helpi[ng pass it]. Paxton tied his potential exit from the race to Senate passage of the voter citizenship legislation, directly challenging Trump's anticipated endorsement strategy and forcing recalibration of the president's political calculations in the marquee Texas Senate race."

"I will be making my Endorsement soon, and will be asking the candidate that I don't Endorse to immediately DROP OUT OF THE RACE! Is that fair? We must win in November!!! Trump's statement previewed his endorsement plans while emphasizing party unity, but Paxton's legislative gambit successfully complicated the president's timeline and forced consideration of competing political priorities."

Ken Paxton, Texas attorney general, strategically announced he would consider exiting the Republican primary race if the U.S. Senate passed the SAVE Act, a controversial voter citizenship bill. This move successfully delayed President Trump's anticipated endorsement of Senator John Cornyn. Trump, initially poised to endorse Cornyn after the primary elections, is now publicly supporting the legislation's passage alongside Paxton. The primary results set up a May runoff between Cornyn and Paxton, with Democratic nominee James Talarico positioned as the general election opponent. Trump's endorsement strategy shifted to prioritize legislative goals, creating uncertainty in the race dynamics.

Read at Intelligencer