By Patrick Svitek, CNN
(CNN) – On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his challenge against Sen. John Cornyn in the primary race. This endorsement is a significant setback for Cornyn and has major consequences for the battle over control of the Senate.
Cornyn has spent more than a year trying to win Trump’s favor, while Paxton has positioned himself as more aligned with the former president’s agenda. Cornyn and GOP leaders have maintained that he would be a stronger candidate in the general election, especially with Democrats aiming to win a statewide office in Texas for the first time since 1994.
The runoff is just one week away, and early voting began on Monday.
“I know Ken well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a WINNER!” Trump stated in an extensive post on Truth Social.
“John Cornyn is a good man, and I worked well with him, but he was not supportive of me when times were tough,” he continued, seemingly referring to Cornyn’s reluctance to back Trump during his 2024 campaign.
Cornyn mentioned in spring 2023 that he believed Trump’s “time has passed him by,” although he eventually endorsed Trump after his victory in New Hampshire’s primary.
In response to Trump’s support for Paxton, Cornyn pointed out that 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 [Democratic nominee James] Talarico in November or a weak nominee who jeopardizes everything we care about,” Cornyn wrote on X. “I trust the Republican voters of Texas.”
Trump’s involvement comes at a notable time as it highlights his influence within the GOP. Earlier this month, he successfully challenged several Indiana lawmakers who opposed his mid-decade redistricting push. Last Saturday saw Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy lose his primary seat after voting to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial. On Tuesday, Trump aimed to unseat one of his biggest critics within Congress – Rep. Thomas Massie from Kentucky – in their primary.
Democrats are keenly watching the Texas Senate seat as they face an uphill battle for majority control of the chamber; Paxton’s victory over Cornyn could make this seat particularly appealing for them. The state’s Democrats wrapped up their primary on March 3 by selecting Talarico, who is well-funded and serves as a state representative.
Talarico wasted no time responding to Trump’s endorsement regarding the runoff.
“As I said on primary night, it doesn’t matter who wins this runoff,” he stated. “We already know who we’re running against: the billionaire mega-donors and their corrupt political system.”
National Democratic organizations also leveraged this news to emphasize Talarico’s campaign strength. A spokesperson from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee expressed that while Republicans seem divided in their race, Talarico is “building the campaign to win, and Texans will send him to the U. S. Senate in November.”
Although Trump refrained from getting involved during the GOP primary-which also included Rep. Wesley Hunt-he quickly raised anticipation for an endorsement ahead of the runoff.
The morning after Cornyn narrowly led Paxton during the primary voting results announcement, Trump hinted that an endorsement would come “soon” while expecting other candidates would drop out.
However, frustration arose when news about Trump’s plans to endorse Cornyn was leaked to reporters; soon after that revelation emerged Paxton made a bold move-indicating he’d consider withdrawing from contention if Senate Republicans eliminated filibuster rules affecting Trump’s voting bill initiatives. Although Cornyn showed some openness toward altering filibuster rules for passing legislation like that one Paxton’s strategy seemed effective enough to sway Trump into holding off until there was progress on those proposals.
Dropping hints about endorsing earlier Tuesday morning before making formal announcements prompted interest among political observers.
While speaking with CNN’s Alayna Treene regarding anticipated endorsements further along down-the-line today Paxton remarked how much faith he had expected throughout all these processes regarding decision-making capabilities exhibited by President Donald J. Trump himself.
“We all know that Donald Trump’s endorsement is the most significant endorsement in the country and maybe even my lifetime,”Paxton added proudly through broadcast appearances around media circuits recently. Some supporters backing up John C o r n y n weren ’t shy expressing discontent following announcement pertaining towards recent decisions made surrounding election dynamics taking place surrounding endorsers involved herein context overall. Republican senator Lisa M urkowski representing Alaska openly conveyed disappointment asking rhetorically what beneficial outcomes present under such circumstances exist when potentially losing key states like Texa s ? S enate R epublican Leader J ohn Thune championed efforts previously advocating strongly urging Trumptoward supporting C orn y n , alerting costs related tied-up stakes come across competitive general elections; ultimately stating quietly “it ’ s h i s d ecision” upon inquiry surrounding presidential interventions pre-existing matters unfolding ahead K en P ax ton long-serving attorney general since twenty fifteen owes much success gained politically amid staunch loyalty upheld toward D onald trump continuously. He spearheaded lawsuits initiated against four battleground states challenging outcome achieved amidst previous electoral seasons deemed unsuitable where SCOTUS declined action taken concerning various cases presented formally citing legitimacy behind proceedings altogether initiating public rallies leading January sixth U S Capitol events itself later too As prominent figureheads among loyalists found themselves coming forth early-on supporting comeback campaigns launched heading into future elections , P ax ton further attended proceedings spanning multiple venues showcasing strong sentiments directed solely routed back towards affirmations originating directly through associates labeling connections thought essential ensuring presence amplified alongside belief reinforced continuously built over these years While entangled throughout myriad ongoing scandals including legal battles around fraudulent claims being lodged ensuing poor investments derived stemming activities preceding tenure held firmly remained unnoticed riding wave amidst public perception despite underlying whispers created intently circulating relevant news outlets providing updates continually reflecting behavior patterns observed forming recently observed frequency distributions – many believing alleged improprieties circulated largely rooted politically motivated targets henceforth Previous tumultuous divorce filed last year surfaced additionally contributing narratives associated tenuous relationships involving current spouse Angela may complicate future paths ahead creating additional scrutiny ought factored heavily continuing pressure mounting outside sources inflicting heightened observation centers leading critics rising ever more forcefully crafting sophisticated marketing strategies countering prevailing messages surrounded branding utilizing creative s forming responses meeting expectations envisioned thus far established beforehand each round cycle held perfectly culminating outcomes realized presently faced together unified purpose exerted collaboratively reaching unanimous consensus displaying absolute cohesion grasped tightly across factions appearing unified indeed despite differing ideologies clashing reflected clearly illustrative processes embraced throughout broader discussions ahead planned upcoming elections.
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“We all know that Donald Trump’s endorsement is the most significant endorsement in the country and maybe even my lifetime,”Paxton added proudly through broadcast appearances around media circuits recently. Some supporters backing up John C o r n y n weren ’t shy expressing discontent following announcement pertaining towards recent decisions made surrounding election dynamics taking place surrounding endorsers involved herein context overall. Republican senator Lisa M urkowski representing Alaska openly conveyed disappointment asking rhetorically what beneficial outcomes present under such circumstances exist when potentially losing key states like Texa s ? S enate R epublican Leader J ohn Thune championed efforts previously advocating strongly urging Trumptoward supporting C orn y n , alerting costs related tied-up stakes come across competitive general elections; ultimately stating quietly “it ’ s h i s d ecision” upon inquiry surrounding presidential interventions pre-existing matters unfolding ahead K en P ax ton long-serving attorney general since twenty fifteen owes much success gained politically amid staunch loyalty upheld toward D onald trump continuously. He spearheaded lawsuits initiated against four battleground states challenging outcome achieved amidst previous electoral seasons deemed unsuitable where SCOTUS declined action taken concerning various cases presented formally citing legitimacy behind proceedings altogether initiating public rallies leading January sixth U S Capitol events itself later too As prominent figureheads among loyalists found themselves coming forth early-on supporting comeback campaigns launched heading into future elections , P ax ton further attended proceedings spanning multiple venues showcasing strong sentiments directed solely routed back towards affirmations originating directly through associates labeling connections thought essential ensuring presence amplified alongside belief reinforced continuously built over these years While entangled throughout myriad ongoing scandals including legal battles around fraudulent claims being lodged ensuing poor investments derived stemming activities preceding tenure held firmly remained unnoticed riding wave amidst public perception despite underlying whispers created intently circulating relevant news outlets providing updates continually reflecting behavior patterns observed forming recently observed frequency distributions – many believing alleged improprieties circulated largely rooted politically motivated targets henceforth Previous tumultuous divorce filed last year surfaced additionally contributing narratives associated tenuous relationships involving current spouse Angela may complicate future paths ahead creating additional scrutiny ought factored heavily continuing pressure mounting outside sources inflicting heightened observation centers leading critics rising ever more forcefully crafting sophisticated marketing strategies countering prevailing messages surrounded branding utilizing creative s forming responses meeting expectations envisioned thus far established beforehand each round cycle held perfectly culminating outcomes realized presently faced together unified purpose exerted collaboratively reaching unanimous consensus displaying absolute cohesion grasped tightly across factions appearing unified indeed despite differing ideologies clashing reflected clearly illustrative processes embraced throughout broader discussions ahead planned upcoming elections.
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