Trump endorses Paxton over Cornyn: What Tarrant voters should know

President Donald Trump on Tuesday endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate, delivering the long-awaited verdict in a closely-watched race.

With early voting underway through Friday and Election Day set for May 26, here is what Tarrant County Republicans need to know.

What Trump said

Trump made the announcement on Truth Social on the second day of early voting, framing Paxton as the candidate who will protect his America First agenda.

“Two years ago, our Country was DEAD — Now we have the ‘HOTTEST’ Country anywhere in the World — And I want to keep it that way,” Trump wrote. “Ken Paxton will help me do that, MAKING AMERICA BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!”

Trump made clear that Cornyn’s history with him weighed against the senator.

“John was very late in backing me in what turned out to be a Historic Run for the Republican Nomination, and then, the Presidency, itself, both of which were Landslide Victories and, more importantly, gave us the Country that we have today — THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA,” Trump said.

The president also noted Paxton’s support for ending the filibuster and passing the SAVE America Act in his endorsement post.

University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus told the Star-Telegram that the endorsement solidifies Paxton’s “MAGA label.” SMU political science professor Cal Jillson said Trump’s calculus is likely that his endorsement could widen Paxton’s edge.

Talarico, the Democratic nominee waiting in November, said Tuesday it does not matter which Republican wins: “For decades, John Cornyn and Ken Paxton have embodied a broken politics that enriches wealthy donors while costs skyrocket for the rest of us.”

How Paxton responded

Paxton, who has spent the runoff positioning himself as the true America First candidate, celebrated the endorsement Tuesday.

“I am incredibly honored to have President Trump’s complete and total endorsement,” Paxton said. “No one has fought harder for the American people than President Trump, and I look forward to championing his America First agenda in the Senate. I have consistently stood by President Trump, even when the Washington establishment and career politicians like John Cornyn turned their back on the President.”

At a Grapevine Republican Club meeting in April, Paxton had told voters that Cornyn “is not a Trump guy” .

“He spends his time in D.C. — he pretty much lives in D.C.,” Paxton said at the Grapevine event. Paxton also reminded the crowd that Cornyn had once referred to Trump as an “albatross” for the party in 2016.

Cornyn’s response

Cornyn addressed Trump’s endorsement on social media,, pointing to his voting record.

“It is now time for Texas Republican voters to decide if they want a strong nominee to help our GOP candidates down ballot and defeat Talarico in November, or a weak nominee who jeopardizes everything we care about,” Cornyn said. “I trust the Republican voters of Texas.”

Cornyn’s campaign has emphasized that the senator has voted with Trump 99.3% of the time. Senior adviser Matt Mackowiak has said previously that Cornyn “has voted for every single one of his nominees and was responsible for passing his legislative agenda in the first term as the Senate Majority Whip.”

On Sunday, Cornyn stood with Collin County state Reps. Jeff Leach and Matt Shaheen and warned that Republicans could lose seats in Washington, Austin and county courthouses if Paxton tops the November ticket. A Texas Southern University poll showed Cornyn leading Democrat James Talarico 45%-44%, while Paxton tied Talarico at 44%.

The SAVE America Act and election integrity

Election integrity has been central to Paxton’s runoff pitch.

After Trump teased an endorsement on March 4, Paxton offered to drop out of the runoff if the Senate passed the SAVE America Act and lifted the filibuster. The bill would require voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote and present photo ID when voting in federal elections.

Paxton has called election integrity his “No. 1 issue.” Cornyn subsequently came out in support of Senate rule changes related to the filibuster if it meant getting the legislation to Trump’s desk.

How the runoff got here

Cornyn and Paxton advanced to the May 26 runoff after no candidate cleared 50% on March 3. Cornyn led with 42%, Paxton took 40.5%, and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt of Houston finished third with 13.5%. Paxton won Collin County, his home base, 41%-40%.

The winner faces Democratic state Rep. James Talarico of Austin on Nov. 3.

Several top Texas Republicans stayed on the sidelines. Gov. Greg Abbott said May 14 he would not endorse: “Haven’t made one yet. Not going to make one. I work with both of them very closely.” Sen. Ted Cruz also declined to take sides. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has not endorsed.

Former House Speaker Dade Phelan, who oversaw Paxton’s impeachment trial in 2023, has endorsed Cornyn.

When and where to vote in Tarrant County

Early voting began Monday at 7 a.m. and runs through Friday, May 22, at 7 p.m. Election Day is Tuesday, May 26.

Tarrant County voters can choose any of 37 early-voting locations.

Any eligible voter in Texas can vote in the Republican runoff, except voters who cast a ballot in the March 3 Democratic primary.

Opinion: What the endorsement means

In a column published Tuesday, Star-Telegram opinion editor Ryan Rusak wrote that Trump’s endorsement effectively ends the race.

“History will record this moment, teased for so long that most thought it wouldn’t come, as the end of Cornyn’s career as a titan in Texas Republican politics,” Rusak wrote.

Rusak argued that runoffs favor Paxton because base voters with the strongest attachment to candidates turn out at higher rates, while casual primary voters often skip the second round. He noted that nearly six in 10 March primary voters chose someone other than Cornyn.

“It’s not that Trump’s endorsement adds a ton of votes for Paxton. It’ll be enough, though, to put him out of Cornyn’s reach,” Rusak wrote. “Republicans at almost all levels are fiercely loyal to Trump, so his word might tip the few left on the fence.”

Rusak summarized Trump’s message to Republican officeholders: “You can have a future in Republican politics or you can cross Trump. You cannot do both.”