Trump Backs 3 Friends in Texas Senate GOP Primary

President Trump supports all 3 candidates in the competitive race, despite their personal rivalries.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

President Donald Trump will travel to Texas on Friday to promote his energy and economic policies, but he will also have all three candidates in the competitive Texas Senate Republican primary join him - Sen. John Cornyn, state Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Rep. Wesley Hunt. Trump has so far declined to endorse any one candidate, despite pressure from Republican leadership to back the incumbent Cornyn, who they see as the stronger general election candidate.

Why it matters

The Texas Senate Republican primary has become a viciously personal race, with the three candidates all trying to highlight their ties to Trump as they campaign ahead of the primary vote. Trump's neutrality in the race speaks to the tricky dynamics, as Cornyn is unpopular with some in the GOP base, while Paxton has faced legal troubles. The outcome of this race could have major implications for Republican control of the Senate.

The details

Sen. John Cornyn is battling for his fifth term and is being challenged by state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt. Cornyn's campaign and allied groups have poured over $63 million into the race, trying to slow Paxton but also attacking Hunt. Paxton beat impeachment on fraud charges in 2023 and has faced allegations of marital infidelity. Hunt, a second-term Houston-area representative, claims a kinship with Trump and campaigned regularly for him.

  • The Texas Senate Republican primary will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2026.
  • If no candidate reaches 50% in the primary, the top two finishers will advance to a May 26, 2026 runoff.

The players

Sen. John Cornyn

The incumbent Texas senator who is battling for his fifth term and is seen as the stronger general election candidate by Republican leadership.

Ken Paxton

The Texas Attorney General who is challenging Cornyn and has faced legal troubles, including beating impeachment on fraud charges in 2023 and allegations of marital infidelity.

Rep. Wesley Hunt

A second-term Houston-area representative who claims a kinship with Trump and campaigned regularly for him, entering the race later than the other two candidates.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

If no candidate reaches 50% in the February 28 primary, the top two finishers will advance to a May 26 runoff election.

The takeaway

Trump's reluctance to endorse a single candidate in the Texas Senate Republican primary highlights the complex dynamics of the race, with the three candidates all vying for his support. The outcome of this primary could have major implications for Republican control of the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections.