President Donald Trump has stepped into the Texas Senate primary runoff by endorsing Attorney General Ken Paxton, highlighting Paxton’s allegiance to key conservative priorities and intensifying pressure on incumbent Sen. John Cornyn ahead of the May 26 contest; the endorsement emphasizes ending the filibuster, passage of the SAVE Act, and continued pursuit of an America First agenda while Paxton publicly celebrated the backing on social media.
The Senate race in Texas has turned into a clear test of influence inside the Republican Party, with Cornyn facing a robust primary challenge from Ken Paxton. The endorsement lands late in the campaign and reshapes expectations, putting a spotlight on loyalty to the former president’s agenda and the role of bold conservative promises in the runoff.
Trump signaled that Paxton would fight for several of his priorities in Washington, specifically mentioning an effort to end the filibuster rule and to advance voting integrity through the SAVE Act. The president made his stance plain in a social media post, delivering a message designed to mobilize grassroots voters who prioritize strong, unapologetic conservatism on issues of governance and election rules.
‘Ken Paxton has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from the Great State of Texas.’
“Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate,” wrote the president. “Ken Paxton has gone through a lot, in many cases, very unfairly, but he is a Fighter, and knows how to WIN. Our Country needs Fighters, and also Loyalty to the Cause of Greatness,” he added, making clear the qualities he values most in allies heading to Capitol Hill.
The endorsement is a significant political moment that tightens the spotlight on Cornyn’s record and relationship with the former president. Trump acknowledged Cornyn as “a good man” while also criticizing him for not backing the president’s campaign forcefully enough, a line meant to separate reliable MAGA allies from more traditional party figures.
The winner of the GOP runoff on May 26 will face Democrat James Talarico in November, and the endorsement changes the dynamics heading into that decisive matchup. Talarico emerged from his primary contest against Rep. Jasmine Crockett and now waits to see which Republican will take him on in a race shaping up to be watched nationally.
Paxton in a post on social media.
“I am incredibly honored to have President Trump’s COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT,” he wrote on social media. “No one has ever fought harder for the American people than President Trump, and I look forward to championing his America First agenda in the Senate! Texas, get out and VOTE!” These words frame Paxton’s campaign message as a continuation of the policies and tone of Trump’s presidency, aimed at energizing voters who want assertive conservative leadership.
https://x.com/KenPaxtonTX/status/2056776517666193563
Outside commentators and state leaders are parsing the endorsement for what it says about Republican unity and strategy heading into the midterms. For many voters, this contest is no longer just about personalities; it’s a referendum on who will carry forward a particular brand of conservative governance from the campaign trail into the Senate.
“LET’S GOOOOOOOO TEXAS!”
With the runoff date set, campaigns on both sides are sharpening their messages and turning up grassroots outreach across the state. Expect the rhetoric to stay high and the turnout efforts to intensify, because in a primary runoff every vote truly matters and national attention now ensures Texas will be watched closely.
