AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENTYou have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.The president had long considered backing Senator John Cornyn, but Ken Paxton, the state attorney general, carried the support of the MAGA base.Listen · 6:22 min Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, has maneuvered for President Trump’s support ahead of the May 26 runoff election in the Republican primary for Senate in the state.Credit...Desiree Rios for The New York TimesMay 19, 2026, 12:33 p.m. ETPresident Trump endorsed Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, for Senate on Tuesday, dealing a blow to Senator John Cornyn in the final week of their primary race.Facing a tough challenge from Mr. Paxton and the right-wing Republican base, Mr. Cornyn had been banking on the president’s support ahead of a runoff election next Tuesday.Mr. Trump had initially considered backing Mr. Cornyn after the first primary vote in early March — a statement had even been drafted — but in the end he went with Mr. Paxton, who has been a Trump ally for years.“Ken Paxton has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from the Great State of Texas,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social, hailing his “Loyalty to the Cause of Greatness.”Senate leaders and national Republicans see Mr. Paxton as the far weaker candidate in a general election and had urged Mr. Trump to support Mr. Cornyn, hoping to avert the political costs of an expensive and bruising runoff race. Party leaders have warned that it could cost $100 million to elect the scandal-singed Mr. Paxton, who has survived indictment, impeachment and accusations of marital infidelity.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe.AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENT