US President Donald Trump has potentially changed the entire electoral momentum within his party in Texas after endorsing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his primary challenge against incumbent Senator John Cornyn.
The announcement caught Republican leaders by surprise, as Cornyn spent more than a year seeking Trump’s support and was considered a strong candidate for the GOP to defeat the Democratic Party candidate in the November midterm elections.
In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform, Trump endorsed Paxton, saying, “I know Ken well, I have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a WINNER.”
The 47th POTUS also praised Cornyn for being a good man; However, he explained that the senator did not seem to support him in difficult times. Trump was apparently referring to Cornyn’s late endorsement in the 2024 presidential election.
Texas has been a Republican stronghold since 1994, but Democrats are now looking to win statewide office for the first time in 30 years.
The president’s sudden endorsement of Paxton, whom Senate Republican leaders do not consider a strong general election candidate, gives Democrats an advantage in their campaign.
The sitting senator reacted to the development by stating that Texans should now decide whether they want a strong candidate who can defeat Democratic candidate James Talarico in November or a weak candidate whose nomination could damage the Senate’s Republican majority.
The primary election is just a week away and early voting will begin on Monday.
The development comes as President Trump plays an active role in the Republican Party primaries to get rid of his enemies in the party and get his allies elected to public office. In Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, Trump has pushed hard to get rid of GOP member Thomas Massie, who represents the district for eight terms.
