POLITICS

Trump Endorsement Intensifies High-Stakes Texas Senate Runoff Race

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ALLEN, Texas. President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday at a campaign event in Allen, amplifying Paxton's push against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn as early voting began this week ahead of the May 26 Republican U.S. Senate runoff; the contest follows a March 3 primary where no candidate won a majority. The endorsement energized Paxton supporters — who cheered and danced at the event — and landed as polls conducted April 22–May 6 showed Cornyn and Paxton running nearly even in hypothetical November matchups with Democrat James Talarico. Political analysts warned the divisive runoff could weaken the eventual nominee and influence general-election dynamics heading into November.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

March 3, 2026: Texas primary held; Cornyn and Paxton advanced to runoff.
April 22–May 6, 2026: Statewide poll of 1,223 likely voters conducted; margin ±2.8 points.
This week (prior to May 26): Early voting for the Republican runoff commenced.
Tuesday (week of May 26): President Trump publicly endorsed Ken Paxton at an Allen event.
May 26, 2026: Scheduled Republican U.S. Senate runoff between Cornyn and Paxton.

Why This Matters to You

This Texas Senate runoff could influence your rights and services. The winner will help shape laws on healthcare, taxes, and more. Keep an eye on the May 26th runoff results.

The Bottom Line

The Trump endorsement has heated up an already tight race. It could sway the outcome, affecting national politics. Remember, every vote counts. Worth forwarding if you know someone in Texas.