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Trump Ally Endorses Paxton Over Cornyn in High-Stakes Texas Senate Runoff
GOP Rep. Eric Burlison backs Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in Republican primary battle against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn.
Published on Mar. 10, 2026
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In a closely watched Republican U.S. Senate primary runoff in Texas, Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., has endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. Burlison, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, praised Paxton as a "proven conservative fighter" who will "never back down" against the "far-left agenda." The primary race heads to a high-stakes runoff later this year, with former President Donald Trump expected to soon make an endorsement of one of the two candidates.
Why it matters
The Texas GOP Senate primary has become a proxy battle between establishment Republicans like Cornyn and more conservative, Trump-aligned figures like Paxton. The winner will face a Democratic opponent in the general election, making this runoff a crucial test of the Republican Party's direction in the Lone Star State.
The details
Paxton and Cornyn were the top finishers in the initial GOP primary, but neither won a majority, forcing them into a runoff election. Burlison, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, cited Paxton's legal battles against the Biden administration's agenda and "woke corporations" as reasons for his endorsement. Trump has indicated he plans to endorse one of the two candidates, though he has not yet made a decision.
- The Texas GOP Senate primary runoff election will take place later this year.
The players
Ken Paxton
The current Attorney General of Texas who is running against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary runoff.
John Cornyn
The incumbent Republican U.S. Senator from Texas who is facing a primary challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Eric Burlison
A Republican Congressman from Missouri who is endorsing Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate primary runoff.
Donald Trump
The former President of the United States who is expected to make an endorsement in the Texas Senate Republican primary runoff.
James Talarico
The Texas state Representative who defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Texas Democratic U.S. Senate primary.
What they’re saying
“Ken Paxton is a proven conservative fighter who will be a champion for the people of Texas in Washington. During the Biden Administration, Ken led the national legal charge to stop the Biden Border Crisis and stop the far-left agenda. He's fought for Texans' rights against woke corporations and the Austin political establishment. In the Senate, he will continue to be a fearless conservative who will never back down. That's why I'm proud to wholeheartedly endorse his campaign.”
— Eric Burlison, U.S. Representative, Missouri (Fox News)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
The Texas GOP Senate primary has become a high-stakes battle between establishment Republicans and more conservative, Trump-aligned figures, with the winner poised to face a Democratic opponent in the general election. The outcome could have significant implications for the direction of the Republican Party in the Lone Star State.
