Trump backs Paxton against Cornyn, flexes endorsement power in 2026 primaries
President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the state's Senate primary, undercutting Republican incumbent John Cornyn. The White House had already pushed out Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy and is targeting Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie, sharpening a pattern of intra-party discipline.
The White House publicly threw its weight behind Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the state's Senate primary, working to displace Republican incumbent John Cornyn. The formal endorsement is part of a broader pattern of Trump intervening directly in intra-party primary races.
According to CNBC, the administration had already pressured Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy out of running for re-election and launched a campaign against Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie. The moves open lanes for Trump-aligned candidates and could reshape the Senate's composition ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Cornyn's votes that diverged from the White House during the Trump era are expected to anchor the Paxton campaign's pitch. Analysts say the endorsement could lift the attorney general's primary turnout in Texas, though Democrats are likely to target the seat aggressively in the general election.
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