Trump Backs 3 Texas Senate GOP Candidates in Competitive Primary

President Trump will appear with all three candidates as they vie for the Republican nomination.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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President Donald Trump is traveling to Texas on Friday to promote his energy and economic policies, but he will also be joined by all three candidates in the competitive Texas Senate Republican primary race. The candidates - Sen. John Cornyn, state Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Rep. Wesley Hunt - have all been trying to highlight their ties to Trump as they campaign ahead of Tuesday's primary vote. Trump has so far declined to endorse any one candidate, saying he likes all three of them.

Why it matters

The Texas Senate race is seen as a key battleground for Republicans as they aim to maintain their congressional majorities in the upcoming midterm elections. Trump's involvement highlights the divisive nature of the primary, with the three candidates vying for the former president's coveted endorsement.

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 in a primary fight that has become viciously personal. Cornyn is seen as the stronger general election candidate, but faces opposition from some in the GOP base. Paxton has faced legal troubles, while Hunt claims a close relationship with Trump. If no candidate reaches 50% in the primary, the top two finishers will advance to a May 26 runoff.

  • 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 seeking his fifth term and is seen as the stronger general election candidate, but faces opposition from some in the GOP base.

Ken Paxton

The Texas Attorney General who is challenging Cornyn in the Republican primary, but 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 entered the race later but claims a close relationship with Trump, having endorsed him early in the 2024 race and campaigning regularly for him.

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What they’re saying

“I like all three of them, actually. Those are the toughest races. They've all supported me. They're all good. You're supposed to pick one, so we'll see what happens. But I support all three.”

— Donald Trump, President (wbal.com)

“It is a strong possibility we cannot hold Texas if John Cornyn is not our nominee.”

— Sen. Tim Scott, Chairman, National Republican Senatorial Committee (Fox News)

What’s next

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 takeaway

The competitive Texas Senate Republican primary highlights the divisive nature of the race, with Trump reluctant to endorse any one candidate despite their close ties to the former president. The outcome of the primary could have significant implications for the GOP's efforts to maintain control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections.