Trump Endorsement Tests Cornyn’s Senate Future as Texas Holds Primary Runoffs
Why It Matters
Texas Republicans and Democrats are settling contested primary runoffs Tuesday that will shape the state’s congressional delegation and test President Donald Trump’s influence over his own party. The most closely watched contest pits Trump’s late endorsement of state Attorney General Ken Paxton directly against four-term Republican Sen. John Cornyn, a race that could determine whether a reliably Republican Senate seat becomes competitive in November.
What Happened
Neither Cornyn nor Paxton secured a majority in the March 3 Republican Senate primary, sending the two into a runoff after Cornyn finished narrowly ahead — 42% to 41%. Trump waited until one week before Tuesday’s runoff to weigh in, ultimately backing Paxton and describing him as a “True MAGA warrior.” The president also cited Paxton’s support for eliminating the Senate filibuster as part of efforts to advance the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID at the ballot box.
Trump also referenced Cornyn’s past hesitance, noting the senator stayed neutral in the 2016 Republican presidential primary and later suggested Trump was not the most electable 2024 candidate — though Cornyn did eventually endorse him. Cornyn pushed back, saying he has consistently supported Trump’s agenda and calling on Texas Republicans to weigh electability carefully. “It is now time for Texas Republican voters to decide if they want a strong nominee,” Cornyn said, warning that a Paxton nomination could endanger seats down the ballot.
The winner of the Republican runoff will face Democratic nominee James Talarico, a state representative who secured the Democratic Senate nomination in March. Texas primary runoffs conclude Tuesday with polls in most of the state closing at 8 p.m. ET and the final polls closing at 9 p.m. ET.
By the Numbers
- 42%–41%: Cornyn’s margin over Paxton in the March 3 primary, forcing a runoff.
- ~$20 million: Combined spending by Cornyn’s campaign and an allied super PAC on advertising since the March primary.
- ~$5 million: Spending by Paxton and a supporting outside group, largely focused on immigration messaging against Cornyn.
- ~$1 million: Spending by Lead Left PAC in the TX-35 Democratic runoff, boosting a candidate party leaders have condemned.
- 10.5 points: Trump’s 2024 margin of victory in Texas’ 35th Congressional District, a seat Democrats are hoping to contest.
A Disputed Democratic Seat
Texas’ 35th Congressional District has drawn national attention for its own complicated runoff. The Democratic contest features Johnny Garcia, a Bexar County Sheriff’s Office employee backed by most Democratic elected officials, against Maureen Galindo, a sex therapist who finished slightly ahead of Garcia in the first round despite raising virtually no money.
Galindo has faced widespread criticism over a series of controversial statements, most recently an Instagram post in which she suggested converting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility into a prison for what she called “American Zionists and former ICE officers.” Democratic House leaders publicly condemned the remarks last week.
The race has been further complicated by the involvement of Lead Left PAC, an outside group that has spent roughly $1 million supporting Galindo but has not yet disclosed its donors. Reports have linked the group to a Republican fundraising platform, raising questions about whether outside Republican interests are attempting to boost an unelectable Democratic candidate in a district Trump carried by more than 10 points in 2024. Democrats are hoping a Garcia victory could make the district competitive in November, despite Republican-led redistricting efforts last year.
Zoom Out
Tuesday’s contests reflect a broader national pattern of Trump using primary endorsements to discipline incumbent Republicans he views as disloyal. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other senior GOP figures had lobbied Trump to back Cornyn, warning that Paxton’s history — including a 2023 impeachment by the Republican-controlled Texas House on bribery and corruption charges, followed by acquittal in the state Senate — could complicate the general election. Similar intra-party dynamics have played out in other states where Trump has backed primary challengers against sitting Republican officeholders.
What’s Next
Results from Tuesday’s runoffs will determine the November general election matchups across multiple Texas congressional districts. If Paxton prevails in the Senate race, the Republican Party faces a general election contest against Talarico that party officials argue is less certain than it would have been with Cornyn as the nominee. In TX-35, a Garcia victory would set up a competitive House race that Democrats hope can offset Republican gains in the Rio Grande Valley in recent cycles. Results are expected beginning at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday.