Texas Senate Runoff Heats Up as Trump Withholds Endorsement

The high-stakes Republican primary between Attorney General Ken Paxton and incumbent Sen. John Cornyn is drawing national attention.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:52pm

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A cinematic painting of the Texas state capitol building, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a sense of solitude and contemplation around a lone figure on the steps, conveying the high-stakes and uncertain nature of the upcoming Senate runoff election.The high-stakes Texas Senate runoff race reflects the shifting political landscape and power dynamics within the Republican party.Waco Today

The upcoming Texas Senate runoff between Republican candidates Ken Paxton and John Cornyn is garnering significant attention, with voters and political observers closely watching for a potential endorsement from former President Donald Trump. The race is seen as a key contest that could shape the direction of the Republican party in the state and potentially have national implications.

Why it matters

Texas has been a Republican stronghold for decades, and the outcome of this Senate race could signal a shift in the state's political landscape. The race is also being closely watched as a potential bellwether for the national Republican party's direction, with Trump's endorsement potentially carrying significant weight.

The details

The Republican primary runoff between Paxton, the state's attorney general, and Cornyn, the incumbent senator, is scheduled for May 26. Both candidates are vying for the Republican nomination, which is widely seen as the de facto winner of the general election in the conservative state. While the two candidates hold similar policy positions, they are seen as representing different factions within the Republican party, with Paxton aligned more closely with Trump's brand of populism and Cornyn viewed as a more traditional conservative.

  • The Republican primary runoff is scheduled for May 26, 2026.
  • Early voting for the runoff begins on May 18, 2026.

The players

Ken Paxton

The current Attorney General of Texas, Paxton is seen as aligned with the more populist, Trump-aligned faction of the Republican party.

John Cornyn

The incumbent U.S. Senator from Texas, Cornyn is viewed as a more traditional conservative Republican.

Donald Trump

The former president, whose endorsement could significantly influence the outcome of the Texas Senate runoff.

Chris Decluitt

The chairman of the McLennan County Republican Party, who discussed the importance of the race and the potential impact of Trump's endorsement.

Mark Hays

The chairman of the McLennan County Democratic Party, who provided an analysis of the differences between the two Republican candidates.

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What they’re saying

“Every election is important, but this one is important because this is the top of the ticket. It's a non-presidential year. Everybody's got their eye on this.”

— Chris Decluitt, Chairman, McLennan County Republican Party

“The U.S. Senate, you know, of course it's vitally important. That's a very high office, senators, 2 per state – have a great deal of influence or can have a great deal of influence on the direction that the country goes.”

— Mark Hays, Chairman, McLennan County Democratic Party

“I don't see a great deal of difference between the candidates, it's more style. Cornyn comes across as more of a traditional Republican, more dignified approach than Paxton… but as far as what they say they're going to do, they're almost identical.”

— Mark Hays, Chairman, McLennan County Democratic Party

“This could be a tipping point. I think there is a strong Paxton influence here in the county, and we are very interested in making sure that we have a conservative. I mean, it's going to be a balancing act.”

— Chris Decluitt, Chairman, McLennan County Republican Party

“Who is he going to back? We don't know. But I think he will make that decision when he is ready.”

— Chris Decluitt, Chairman, McLennan County Republican Party

What’s next

The Republican primary runoff election is scheduled for May 26, 2026, with early voting beginning on May 18, 2026. The outcome of this race will determine the Republican nominee who will face the Democratic candidate in the November general election.

The takeaway

The high-stakes Texas Senate runoff between Ken Paxton and John Cornyn has become a closely watched contest, with potential national implications for the Republican party. The race highlights the divisions within the GOP, with Trump's endorsement potentially playing a pivotal role in determining the party's direction in the state and beyond.