Trump Visits Texas as 3 GOP Senate Candidates Vie for Nomination

President Trump brings all three Texas Senate Republican primary candidates with him on trip to promote energy and economic agenda.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

President Donald Trump is visiting Texas on Friday, just days before the state's Republican Senate primary, and is bringing all three candidates vying for the nomination - Sen. John Cornyn, state Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Rep. Wesley Hunt. Trump has been unable to choose between the three allies, so he is bringing them all along as he promotes his energy and economic policies. The primary race has become heated, with Cornyn facing challenges from Paxton and Hunt, who are both trying to highlight their ties to Trump.

Why it matters

The Texas Senate race is a key contest for Republicans as they aim to maintain control of Congress. Trump's neutrality in the primary has created a tricky dynamic, as Cornyn is seen as the stronger general election candidate but faces opposition from some in the GOP base, while Paxton and Hunt are trying to leverage their connections to Trump. The outcome could have major implications for the balance of power in the Senate.

The details

President Trump will be visiting Corpus Christi, Texas on Friday, where he plans to promote his energy and economic agenda. All three candidates in the competitive Texas Senate Republican primary - Sen. John Cornyn, state Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Rep. Wesley Hunt - will be joining Trump on the trip, just days before the primary vote on Tuesday. Cornyn, who is seeking his fifth term, is facing challenges from Paxton and the late entrant Hunt, who both have been trying to highlight their ties to Trump as they campaign. Trump has so far declined to endorse any of the three candidates, despite pressure from Republican leadership to back Cornyn as the stronger general election contender.

  • President Trump will be visiting Corpus Christi, Texas on Friday, February 27, 2026.
  • The Texas Senate Republican primary will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
  • If no candidate reaches 50% in the primary, the top two finishers will advance to a May 26, 2026 runoff.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who is visiting Texas to promote his energy and economic agenda.

John Cornyn

The incumbent U.S. Senator from Texas who is seeking his fifth term and is being challenged in the Republican primary.

Ken Paxton

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

Wesley Hunt

A U.S. Representative from the Houston area who entered the Republican Senate primary late but has tried to highlight his ties to Trump.

Greg Abbott

The Governor of Texas who will be greeting Trump upon his arrival in Corpus Christi.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

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

— Tim Scott, Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (Fox News)

“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 (Newsmax)

What’s next

If no candidate reaches 50% in the March 3rd primary, the top two finishers will advance to a May 26th runoff election.

The takeaway

Trump's neutrality in the Texas Senate Republican primary has created a complex dynamic, as the three candidates vie for his endorsement and try to highlight their connections to the former president. The outcome of this race could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate.