Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Republican primary runoff
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said President Trump’s support “gives the Texas Senate race a little bit of momentum.”
Fox – 7 Austin
President Donald Trump met with Texas Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton at the White House on Tuesday night.
The meeting comes as Mr. Paxton seeks to solidify Republican support ahead of the November general election after securing the president’s support in a tight party runoff in late May, ultimately defeating incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn.
A photo posted by Paxton on social media shows the Republican candidate standing behind the president at his resolute desk in the Oval Office. In another photo, Paxton is seen posing with the president and Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick with political artwork of his Democratic challenger, state Rep. James Talarico.
“It was an honor to be with President Trump and Dan Patrick today to protect Texas and save America,” Paxton said in the post.
President Trump shares Talarico’s ‘artwork’
President Donald Trump shared an autographed “work of art” with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick during a visit to the Oval Office, according to XPost.
Patrick shared a side-by-side image of Talarico, who has lost a tooth, and Alfred E. Newman, the longtime MAD Magazine mascot known for his signature smile.
“@realDonaldTrump knows how to draw like no one else,” the post read.
Many of the comments on this post did not find this image funny. “As a lifelong Republican, there is nothing more embarrassing for the Republican Party,” one person wrote.
Trump fully supports Paxton, hosts Texas rally for Paxton
Mr. Trump endorsed Mr. Paxton in the final stages of the Republican runoff, with early voting already underway. The president’s endorsement sent shock waves not only in Texas but also on Capitol Hill.
As reported by USA TODAY, the president’s relationship with Senate Republicans was already contentious, but the president’s endorsement of Paxton over the only Senate Republican vote further heightened tensions.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Paxton’s support would make the race in Texas more expensive for Republicans because Paxton’s support is more vulnerable to a Democratic upset than Cornyn’s.
Democrats are celebrating Mr. Paxton’s victory over Mr. Cornyn and believe their candidate, state Rep. James Talarico, could flip the seat. Recent polls after the Republican runoff elections show Talarico leading Paxton 47% to 44% in the U.S. Senate race, just outside the poll’s margin of error.
As the results of the vote are almost finalized, some Republicans are divided on whether to support Paxton, torn between party loyalty and the ongoing controversy surrounding him.
Trump also spoke publicly to Lara Trump on Fox News’ “My View” and said publicly that he plans to campaign for Paxton in Texas.
“I think Ken Paxton is absolutely going to destroy him (Talarico),” President Trump said on Fox News. “I’m going to go ahead and hold a rally for him.”
Mateo Rosiles is a Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and local Texas newspapers. Do you have any news tips for him? Email us at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
