Trump Rallies in Texas as 3 GOP Senate Candidates Battle

President Trump makes first post-State of the Union trip to support Republican Senate hopefuls in Texas primary

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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President Donald Trump is heading to Texas on Friday, his first trip after the State of the Union address, where he plans to promote his energy and economic policies. However, the trip is complicated by the competitive Republican Senate primary, with three candidates - Sen. John Cornyn, state Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Rep. Wesley Hunt - all vying for the nomination and trying to highlight their ties to Trump. Trump has so far refrained from endorsing a candidate, despite pressure from Republican leadership to support the more establishment-backed Cornyn.

Why it matters

The Texas Senate race is a key battleground for Republicans as they aim to maintain their congressional majorities in the upcoming midterm elections. Trump's endorsement could be a major boost for one of the candidates, but his hesitation to choose sides reflects the complex dynamics of the race, with Cornyn facing skepticism from the GOP base while Paxton and Hunt have their own baggage. The outcome could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate.

The details

Sen. John Cornyn is running for his fifth term and is being challenged by state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt in a bitter Republican primary fight. Cornyn is seen as the stronger general election candidate, but faces opposition from some in the GOP base, in part for his early dismissiveness of Trump's 2024 comeback campaign and his role in authoring tougher gun restrictions after the Uvalde school shooting. Paxton, meanwhile, has faced a series of legal troubles, including being impeached on fraud charges in 2023 and allegations of marital infidelity. Hunt, a second-term Houston-area representative, has campaigned regularly for Trump and earned a prime-time speaking slot at the 2024 Republican National Convention.

  • Trump will be making his first post-State of the Union trip to Texas on Friday, February 27, 2026.
  • The Texas Republican Senate primary is scheduled for Tuesday, February 25, 2026.

The players

Sen. John Cornyn

A five-term Republican senator from Texas who is facing a primary challenge.

Ken Paxton

The Republican state Attorney General of Texas, who is challenging Cornyn in the Senate primary.

Rep. Wesley Hunt

A second-term Republican representative from the Houston area, who is also running in the Senate primary.

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What’s next

If no candidate reaches 50% in the February 25th primary, the top two finishers will advance to a May 26th runoff election.

The takeaway

Trump's reluctance to endorse a candidate in the Texas Senate Republican primary reflects the complex dynamics of the race, with each of the three contenders vying for the former president's support. The outcome could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate, as Republicans aim to maintain their congressional majorities in the upcoming midterm elections.