John Cornyn says Trump’s endorsement of Ken Paxton won’t decide Texas GOP Senate primary

WASHINGTON, DC: Texas Senator John Cornyn on Sunday, May 24, insisted he could withstand President Donald Trump’s endorsement of rival Ken Paxton in the state’s closely watched Republican Senate primary, arguing his relationship with the president differs from other Republicans recently defeated by Trump-backed challengers.

The comments came just days before Texas voters head to the polls in a race that has become one of the GOP’s most closely watched primary contests ahead of the November elections. Trump formally endorsed Paxton on Tuesday, May 19, boosting the Texas attorney general’s campaign as polling showed Cornyn slipping behind. 

John Cornyn says Trump grew frustrated with Senate Republicans

Speaking on NewsNation’s 'The Hill Sunday', Cornyn argued that Trump’s endorsement of Paxton should not be viewed the same way as the president’s involvement in recent primaries where incumbents lost after openly clashing with him.

“I think it’s very different from the Cassidy and Massie situation because I’ve been a Trump ally, as you point out,” Cornyn said. “I think he got frustrated with the Senate, not able to get what he wanted when he wanted it,” referencing Sen Bill Cassidy and Rep Thomas Massie, both of whom lost primaries after publicly breaking with the president.

The senator suggested Trump’s impatience with Senate Republicans partly explained the endorsement decision. “I’ll continue to vote in that same way, but sometimes the president needs a little help when, particularly, we’re dealing with the midterms here,” Cornyn said. “And this is going to be critical to his last two years in office,” he said. 

On Sunday, POTUS once again highlighted his endorsement of Paxton in a lengthy Truth Social post praising the Texas attorney general’s loyalty. “He was also very loyal to your favorite President, ME.” The president also criticized Cornyn in the endorsement message, writing that Paxton’s opponent was “VERY disloyal to me, as President, and didn’t fight hard enough” for election-related legislation backed by Trump.

Despite the endorsement, Trump stopped short of launching the kind of direct attacks he previously aimed at Sen Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Rep Thomas Massie of Kentucky, both of whom lost primaries after publicly breaking with the president.

Ken Paxton’s legal history and electability remain central issues

The Texas GOP primary has also drawn attention because of Paxton’s legal controversies and impeachment battle in recent years. Republican leadership and the National Republican Senatorial Committee have backed Cornyn, arguing he is better positioned to hold the seat in the general election.

Paxton was indicted in 2015 on securities fraud charges predating his tenure as attorney general. Those charges were later resolved through a pretrial diversion agreement. In 2023, the Texas House impeached him on allegations including abuse of office and retaliation against whistleblowers. He was later acquitted in the Texas Senate.

Cornyn acknowledged that Trump “can be a pretty impatient guy” but emphasized that he has generally supported the president’s agenda during his time in the Senate. The Texas primary is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, with the winner expected to face Democrat James Talarico in November.