Who’s backing who in Texas’ Senate GOP runoff between John Cornyn, Ken Paxton?
The possibility of an endorsement from President Donald Trump in the Republican runoff between U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has made headlines for months, but there are other key Texas figures who have waded in — or not —to the Senate battle.
Cornyn and Paxton are in a May 26 primary runoff for a place on the November general election ballot after a single candidate didn’t win more than half of votes in the March 3 primary election. The winner will face State Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic nominee, on Nov. 3.
Both GOP contenders have prominent figures and groups in their corners, as the race stretches into what is sure to be a contentious final sprint. Early voting starts May 18 and runs through May 22.
So, who’s backing who, and who’s staying out? Here’s the rundown of notable endorsements so far.
(Check back for updates in the lead up to Election Day.)
John Cornyn
Cornyn is the Republican incumbent for the statewide seat. He was first elected to Congress in 2002. Before that he served as Texas attorney general, a Texas Supreme Court justice and a district court judge in Bexar County.
According to news releases from before and after the March 3 primary, Dallas-Fort Worth area leaders who are supporting the senator’s reelection bid include:
- U.S. Rep. Craig Goldman
- U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey
- U.S. Rep. Roger Williams
- Former U.S. Rep. Joe Barton
- Former U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess
- State Rep. Charlie Geren
- State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione
- Former State Rep. Stephanie Klick
- Former State Board of Education Member Pat Hardy
- North Richland Hills Mayor Jack McCarthy
- Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker
- Former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price
- Fort Worth City Council member Michael Crain
Other past and current Republican officials supporting Cornyn include:
- Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry
- U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran
- U.S. Rep. Randy Weber
- U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul
- U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions
- Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty
- Former U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm
- Former U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert
- Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich
According to his campaign website, groups that have endorsed Cornyn include:
- The National Border Patrol Council
- The Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas
- Texas Municipal Police Association
- Texas Alliance for Life
- American Israel Public Affairs Committee
- Republican Jewish Coalition
- Agricultural and ranching groups, such as the Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association PAC and the Texas International Produce Association
- Texas Association of Manufacturers
- Texas Trucking Association
- National Association of Realtors
- National Association of Homebuilders
- Dallas Police Association
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- TEXPAC (Texas Medical Association)
Other Cornyn endorsements can be found on his website.
Ken Paxton
Paxton took office as Texas attorney general in 2015. Before that he served in the Texas Senate and Texas House representing part of Collin County north of Dallas.
According to news releases from before and after March 3, Paxton’s endorsements from Republican officials and candidates in North Texas include:
- U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill
- U.S. Rep. Lance Gooden
- State Rep. Brent Money
- State Rep. Nate Schatzline
- State Rep. Shelly Luther
- State Rep. Katrina Pierson
- State Rep. Mike Olcott
- State Rep. David Lowe
- State Rep. Mitch Little
- State Rep. Tony Tinderholt
- State Rep. Keresa Richardson
- State Rep. Andy Hopper
- State Rep. Helen Kerwin
- House District 94 Republican candidate Cheryl Bean
- Former Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French
Other GOP officials who’ve endorsed Paxton include:
- U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls
- U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison from Missouri
- U.S. Rep. Eli Crane from Arizona
- State Rep. Steve Toth, the GOP nominee for Texas’ 2nd Congressional District.
Groups that have endorsed Paxton include:
- CPAC
- Turning Point Action
- True Texas Project
- Gun Owners of America
- Tarrant County Patriots PAC
Paxton’s campaign website and social media also include lists of endorsements.
Who hasn’t endorsed?
The big one is Trump.
The president teased an endorsement after the first round of voting, calling for the candidate he doesn’t support to drop out of the race. However, with early voting just days away, he hasn’t named his pick. He may opt to stay out of the race, after all.
Several top Texas officials also haven’t endorsed a favorite candidate.
Greg Abbott
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said May 14 that he doesn’t plan to endorse in the runoff.
“Haven’t made one yet. Not going to make one,” Abbott said during a news conference. “I work with both of them very closely.”
Ted Cruz
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz told Fox News he isn’t taking sides in the runoff in a report from late March.
“Look, I like John. I like Ken,” Cruz said. “They’re both friends of mine. I have supported both of them in the past. I’ve worked closely with both of them. I’ve endorsed both of them. I’ve campaigned with both of them, and so I’m staying out. I trust the voters of Texas to make this decision.”
House and Senate leadership
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who heads the Texas Senate, has not endorsed Paxton or Cornyn in the runoff. A spokesperson confirmed that he’s stayed out of the race thus far but didn’t say whether the lieutenant governor plans to endorse in the future.
Aides to House Speaker Dustin Burrows did not immediately return a request for comment.
Former House Speaker Dade Phelan, who oversaw Paxton’s impeachment trial in 2023, has endorsed Cornyn.
Wesley Hunt
U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt was the third place finisher in the U.S. Senate primary race on March 3, winning 13.5% of votes.
Hunt told Spectrum News he isn’t advising his supporters on how to vote.
“There’s enough information out there on both candidates, and I think they should make their own decision,” Hunt said, according to the April 23 news report. “But most importantly, I want to thank them so much for their support. I think 300,000 people supporting us was quite the feat, and I’m very, very thankful for that.”
