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
Sen. John Cornyn attended a landmark event in Lubbock, Texas, to warn Texas voters about Attorney General Ken Paxton, hours after President Donald Trump endorsed Paxton.
“I believe Ken Paxton is an albatross around our candidate’s neck in terms of our success in November and will probably lose to James Talarico,” Cornyn said on Tuesday, May 20. “I think we went too far and tried too hard to risk it.”
Polls in May showed Paxton leading Cornyn, but the result was a close one, and the runoff race has become increasingly heated with both Cornyn and Paxton running personal and political attack ads against each other.
Cornyn also said that while there are “family feuds” within the party, Republicans will ultimately come together to win the general election in November.
At an event in Lubbock later that day, Mr. Cornyn was asked whether he had spoken to Mr. Trump following the endorsement. He said no, and said he wasn’t going to give up the fight even if he didn’t get the support he craved.
“We know who elects our senators. It’s the people of Texas, and there’s no substitute for that,” Cornyn said.
Why didn’t Trump support Cornyn?
In his support post, Trump said Cornyn was a “good man” but cited Cornyn’s lack of support from senators during “tough times” and Trump’s delay in endorsing him in the 2024 presidential race as reasons for not endorsing him.
In response to the president’s statement, Cornyn said he worked closely with Trump during both presidents’ terms and voted for him more than 99% of the time.
“He has called me a friend throughout this race,” the statement said. “It’s time for Republican voters in Texas to decide whether they want a strong candidate who will help the Republican candidate reduce votes and defeat Talarico in November, or a weak candidate who will jeopardize everything we care about. I have faith in Republican voters in Texas.”
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.
