Trump endorses Ken Paxton over John Cornyn in Texas Senate primary

In a surprising turn of events, US President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Republican primary for the Senate, where incumbent Senator John Cornyn is seeking re-election. This endorsement, announced via Trump's social media on Tuesday, comes amidst ongoing early voting and emphasizes his unwavering confidence in Paxton. Cornyn, a four-term senator, currently leads with approximately 42% compared to Paxton's 41% ahead of the March 3 primary. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, an ally of Cornyn, acknowledged that the endorsement was Trump's choice. With Trump winning Texas by nearly 14 points in 2024, his backing is deemed crucial, while Democrats, including candidate Talarico, view this as a chance to seize the seat amid Trump's declining approval ratings.