Trump Endorsed Ken Paxton for Texas Senate
The former president released a video backing Ken Paxton following his primary win over John Cornyn.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Elections
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Donald Trump has officially endorsed Ken Paxton for the Texas Senate seat. This support arrives as the candidate prepares for the upcoming general election.
Why it matters
The endorsement is a strategic move to unify Republican support behind Paxton after his primary victory over John Cornyn. It attempts to counter the current polling momentum favoring his Democratic challenger.
Recent polling shows Democratic nominee James Talarico holding a 2.9% average lead over Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race. The impact of the recent endorsement on these figures remains to be seen.
The players
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States.
Ken Paxton
Ken Paxton is the Republican nominee for the Texas Senate seat following his primary win.
James Talarico
James Talarico is the Democratic nominee running for the Texas Senate seat.
John Cornyn
John Cornyn is a Republican politician who was defeated by Ken Paxton in the primary.
The details
Following his primary defeat of John Cornyn, Ken Paxton has now secured an endorsement via video recording from Donald Trump. The race remains contentious as both parties focus on key demographic shifts across Texas.
Timeline
Earlier this year, Ken Paxton defeated John Cornyn in the Republican primary.
On September 18, 2026, Donald Trump issued a video endorsement for Ken Paxton.
Political Context
The race follows the internal party fractures established by the 2026 Texas Republican primary. This endorsement attempts to bridge the divide between supporters of the primary candidates.
Voters across Texas can expect increased campaign messaging and activity as the general election approaches. The endorsement may influence the final policy priorities presented by the Republican candidate to the electorate.
The takeaway
The race for the Senate seat remains highly competitive despite institutional backing from party leadership. Voters should monitor shifts in polling as the campaign enters its final phase.
Further reading
For additional context on the state's upcoming races, visit the Texas Elections section.
Live Poll
Do you believe the political direction of traditionally Republican states is currently heading in the right direction?
