Trump endorses Paxton over Cornyn in Texas Senate primary race
· UPIMay 19 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton, Texas attorney general, for Senate on Tuesday, calling Paxton "a true MAGA Warrior."
Trump chose to endorse Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, who has held the seat for more than 20 years. The two men will face off against each other in a Republican primary runoff May 26, with the winner facing Democrat James Talarico in November elections.
Trump called Paxton "someone who has always been extremely loyal to me and our AMAZING MAGA MOVEMENT" in a lengthy social media post containing the endorsement. In it, the president also lauded his own record in Texas votes, criticized Democrats and especially "the Corrupt Biden Administration" and said he'd accomplished record job and economic growth and other "legendary" feats.
Trump said Cornyn "is a good man" but that "he was not supportive of me when times were tough."
"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 Landside Victories and, more importantly, gave us the Country that we have today - THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA ... as opposed to the DISASTER of the previous Administration," Trump wrote.
Republican leaders have warned Trump that choosing Paxton,who has been involved in multiple controversies, is a risk to the Senate seat. The state attorney general was impeached on bribery and corruption charges in 2023, NBC News reported, and his wife is currently seeking a divorce on "biblical grounds," citing adultery.
In his own social media post, Paxton said he is "incredibly honored" by the endorsement.
"I look forward to championing (Trump's) America First agenda in the Senate!" he wrote. "Texas, get out and VOTE!"
Cornyn responded to the endorsement by noting that he has worked closely with Trump and the president "has consistently called me a friend in this race."
"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," he wrote. "I trust the Republican voters of Texas."
Talarico, a state legislator and seminarian, said in a statement that no matter which candidate he faces in the fall, he's running against "the billionaire megadonors and their corrupt political system," The New York Times reported.