Texas Primary Runoffs Test Trump Endorsement of Paxton Over Cornyn

Texas voters head to the polls Tuesday for primary runoffs that include a high-profile Senate contest between state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. John Cornyn. President Trump endorsed Paxton one week before the runoff, describing him as a “True MAGA warrior” who supports eliminating the Senate filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act.

The legislation would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo identification to cast a ballot. Cornyn finished narrowly ahead of Paxton in the March 3 primary, 42 percent to 41 percent. Paxton’s campaign and the Lone Star Liberty PAC have spent about $5 million.

Paxton was impeached by the Republican-controlled state House in 2023 on bribery and corruption charges but was acquitted by the state Senate. Most Democratic elected officials have backed Garcia. ” A super PAC called Lead Left PAC has spent about $1 million to support her.

Punchbowl News reported that Lead Left PAC was previously linked to a GOP fundraising platform, prompting speculation that Republicans are boosting Galindo to make the district less competitive in November. Trump carried the district by 10.5 points in 2024.

Other Contested Primaries Reps.

Christian Menefee and Al Green face each other in a Democratic runoff for a redrawn Houston seat after Republican redistricting placed them in the same district. Menefee, 37, has received more than $2 million in outside spending from a super PAC tied to the crypto industry.

In the Dallas area, former Rep. Colin Allred and Rep. Julie Johnson compete in another Democratic runoff. Allred received 44 percent in the first round to Johnson’s 33 percent. In the Republican primary for the 15th District, Trump-backed Air Force veteran Carlos De La Cruz faces state Rep.

John Lujan, who is backed by Gov. Greg Abbott. m. m. ET statewide.