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Fetterman questions GOP's lack of Texas Senate endorsement
The Pennsylvania senator argues Trump and Republicans are putting the Texas Senate race in play by not backing incumbent John Cornyn.
Feb. 19, 2026 at 7:07pm
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Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) on Tuesday questioned why President Trump and other GOP lawmakers haven't locked down the Texas Senate race with an endorsement in the three-way Republican primary. Fetterman argued that the battle between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) could create an opening for Democrats in November, particularly if Paxton wins the primary.
Why it matters
The Texas Senate race is seen as a key battleground, and Fetterman's comments suggest Democrats believe the Republican infighting could give them an opportunity to flip the seat. The outcome of the GOP primary could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate.
The details
Fetterman said he thinks his party can regain the House, but argued the battle to retake the Senate majority will be an uphill one. He said Cornyn is a 'reasonable Republican' and that Trump and the GOP are putting Texas in play by not backing him. Democrats have their own contentious primary in Texas between Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico.
- Fetterman made the comments on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
The players
John Fetterman
A Democratic senator from Pennsylvania.
John Cornyn
The incumbent Republican senator from Texas who is running for reelection.
Ken Paxton
The Republican Texas Attorney General who is running for Cornyn's Senate seat.
Wesley Hunt
A Republican U.S. Representative from Texas who is also running for Cornyn's Senate seat.
Jasmine Crockett
A Democratic U.S. Representative from Texas who is running for Senate.
James Talarico
A Democratic state representative in Texas who is running for Senate.
What they’re saying
“I mean, as you point out, the margin is very close. And there's always—history always tells us there's a backlash against the party in power…So I think most people would have assumed that the House is going to flip. Now, here in the Senate, that's a little more difficult, and now you have other races in play.”
— John Fetterman, U.S. Senator
“For me, like for Texas, for example, Cornyn is a reasonable Republican, and now that would be money in the bank. But now I don't know why politically—I'm not sure why the Republicans and the president wouldn't sit on that and just lock down Texas.”
— John Fetterman, U.S. Senator
What’s next
The outcome of the Republican primary in Texas will be a key factor in determining the competitiveness of the general election race for the Senate seat.
The takeaway
Fetterman's comments suggest Democrats see an opportunity in the Texas Senate race due to the contentious Republican primary, but the party will still face an uphill battle to retake the Senate majority.
