The Republican primary runoff in Texas’ Senate race will continue, with the deadline for a candidate to drop out of the race passing on Tuesday as President Donald Trump weighs backing Sen. John Cornyn or state Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Trump had teased an endorsement after the March 3 primary and called on the candidate he did not endorse to drop out and prevent a primary runoff election on May 26. He wrote on Truth Social on March 4 that the GOP contest “cannot, for the good of the Party, and our Country, itself, be allowed to go on any longer. IT MUST STOP NOW!”
Trump had seemed ready to back Cornyn after the senator was the top vote-getter in the first round of the primary, out-performing Paxton 42%-41%. But so far the president has not backed a candidate. Republican candidates had until 5 p.m. local time on Tuesday to withdraw from the race and cancel the runoff, making the remaining candidate the party’s nominee.
Neither Cornyn nor Paxton withdrew from the race, according to their campaigns. A candidate could still say he is dropping out of the race before the May runoff, but his name would remain on the runoff ballot.
Trump has tied his endorsement to the fate of a bill overhauling the country’s voting laws, known as the SAVE America Act.
“A lot has to do with the SAVE America Act. A lot is going to determine — Republicans have to get that passed, because that will secure voting in this country,” Trump told NBC News in an interview last weekend, noting he could make a decision on an endorsement in the race in the coming days.
Paxton said he would consider dropping out of the race if Senate leadership agreed to nix the 60-vote threshold to end debate on legislation, known as the filibuster, and pass the SAVE America Act.
Cornyn, who had previously been a staunch proponent of the filibuster, reversed course last week and said he would back “whatever changes to Senate rules that may prove necessary” to pass the measure.
The Senate began debating the SAVE America Act on Tuesday. And Paxton in a statement said Cornyn should be held responsible if it does not pass.
“If the Save America Act fails, it will be because John Cornyn refused to truly fight to get it done,” Paxton said. “He’s campaigned on being Mr. Effective in the Swamp, and it’s time for him to put his money where his mouth is.”
Meanwhile, the jockeying for Trump’s endorsement has continued.
Lone Star Liberty PAC, a super PAC backing Paxton, launched a TV ad in the West Palm Beach media market over the weekend while Trump was in Florida, according to the ad-tracking firm AdImpact.
The spot highlights Cornyn’s past criticism of Trump, including when the senator suggested that Trump was not the most electable presidential candidate in 2024. The ad also includes Cornyn’s praise for some officials that have drawn Trump’s ire, like former FBI Director James Comey.
Cornyn’s campaign has also started to attack Paxton on the airwaves, launching a TV ad highlighting the allegations of bribery and corruption that led to Paxton’s impeachment in 2023. The state Senate ultimately acquitted Paxton. The ad also notes that Paxton’s wife is divorcing him on “biblical grounds.”
Cornyn and his allies have long argued that Paxton’s controversies would put the seat at risk in November. Democratic state Rep. James Talarico won his party’s primary in March and will face the Republican nominee in November.
Trump dismissed concerns about Paxton’s electability in the recent interview with NBC News.
“No, I think they both win,” Trump said, describing Talarico as “so weak.”