Texas Runoff Pits Cornyn Against Trump-Backed Paxton

AUSTIN, Texas — President Trump has made his choice clear in the Texas Senate primary runoff, throwing his support behind state Attorney General Ken Paxton and labeling four-term incumbent John Cornyn as very disloyal to the Republican base. Voters head to the polls Tuesday in what has become the costliest Senate primary battle in history, with the outcome seen as a direct measure of Trump's hold over the party.

Paxton, a longtime Trump ally known for aggressive legal fights against federal policies on immigration and health issues, has positioned himself as the true conservative in the race. Cornyn, who led the March primary with 42 percent to Paxton's 40.5 percent, has spent weeks defending his record against charges that he represents an outdated establishment wing more aligned with past compromises than current priorities. Trump's endorsement last week shifted the contest sharply, prompting immediate ad campaigns from Paxton and allied groups highlighting the president's backing.

Supporters at Paxton events in Houston suburbs and Dallas have described the attorney general as someone with real backbone, contrasting him directly with Cornyn. At one barbecue rally, attendees danced to familiar campaign tunes while dismissing Cornyn as effectively no different from a Democrat on key votes. The race has drawn national attention because the winner will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in November, a contest that could influence the narrow Republican Senate majority.

Cornyn has warned that a Paxton nomination would force the national party to spend heavily to defend the seat, potentially draining resources from other races. Paxton has countered by stressing his consistent alignment with Trump positions, including support for stricter voter measures. Both candidates courted the president's nod for months, but Cornyn's history of occasional friction with the White House proved decisive in the end.

The runoff also includes contests for attorney general and several House seats, though the Senate clash has overshadowed them. Talarico, who emerged from the Democratic primary ahead of more progressive challengers, represents the party's latest attempt to compete in a state where no Democrat has won a Senate seat since 1994. Republicans hold a 53-47 edge in the chamber and are defending more seats overall this cycle.

Paxton's record as attorney general includes lawsuits targeting pharmaceutical practices and regulatory overreach that resonate with voters focused on health and consumer protections. His campaign has leaned into that record while painting Cornyn as too willing to negotiate across the aisle on issues like gun measures after past tragedies. Turnout will determine whether the president's late intervention can overcome Cornyn's initial edge and institutional support within the Senate.

Early signs point to strong enthusiasm among the same voters who powered Trump's previous victories in the state. The contest tests whether establishment figures like Cornyn can survive without full MAGA alignment or if the party's direction has shifted permanently toward candidates who prioritize loyalty to the current White House agenda. Results are expected after polls close Tuesday evening.