Vice President JD Vance said President Donald Trump has endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Texas U.S. Senate race.
The endorsement shifts the political landscape of the GOP primary in Texas by pitting a high-profile state official against a sitting senator. This move signals a preference for candidates aligned with the "America First" movement over established party incumbents.
Speaking at a White House briefing on Tuesday, Vance said the president's decision was based on loyalty and ideological consistency. He said that while he has known Cornyn for a long time, Paxton proved his reliability during critical periods.
"When it really counted, Ken Paxton was there for the country, was there for the president and that's why he ultimately earned the president's endorsement," Vance said. He said the president believes Paxton will make a better senator.
President Trump described Paxton as a "strong America First conservative" in a statement via Truth Social. This alignment reflects a broader strategy to install loyalists in legislative roles who will support the president's policy agenda without reservation.
The endorsement comes as the race heads toward a runoff election scheduled for May 26 [1]. The challenge to Cornyn by Paxton represents a significant internal divide within the Texas Republican party, highlighting the tension between traditional conservatism and the current administration's populist wing.
Paxton has long been a focal point of Texas politics, and this endorsement provides him with the critical backing of the president's base ahead of the runoff. Vance's public support for the decision further solidifies the administration's stance on the race.
“Ken Paxton was there for the country, was there for the president”
This endorsement demonstrates the ongoing influence of President Trump over Republican primary contests, specifically targeting incumbents who may not be viewed as sufficiently loyal. By backing Paxton, the administration is prioritizing ideological purity and personal loyalty over seniority, which could reshape the GOP's composition in the U.S. Senate if Paxton wins the runoff.
