Trump's influence shapes Texas runoffs; Paxton wins primary amidst GOP divisions
Donald Trump's endorsement proved a powerful force in the Texas runoffs, with Ken Paxton securing a primary victory despite broader GOP divisions.
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured a significant victory in the Republican primary runoff for the U.S. Senate, defeating incumbent Senator John Cornyn in a closely watched contest held on May 26, 2026. Paxton's win, which concludes a bitter and expensive race, marks a notable shift within the Republican party in Texas.
The attorney general heavily credited former President Donald Trump's endorsement as a crucial factor in his success, hailing it as the "most powerful force in politics." Trump's backing of Paxton, who campaigned as a "MAGA Warrior," dealt a blow to the Republican establishment and highlighted the former president's continued influence over the party. Paxton will now advance to the general election in November, where he is set to face Democratic state Representative James Talarico.
What each outlet emphasizes
- CNN: highlights Trump completing his month of GOP revenge and takeaways from Texas runoffs
- BBC: notes MAGA candidate's win in Texas primary and how it may help Democrats, also Republicans defying Trump in South Carolina
- AJ: reports Ken Paxton winning Texas primary election with results and key takeaways
- The Guardian: emphasizes Paxton hailing Trump's endorsement as 'most powerful force in politics' after Texas runoff win
- AP: reports South Carolina Senate rejecting Trump’s call to redraw congressional map
Read it at the source
texastribune.org ↗ houstonchronicle.com ↗ washingtonpost.com ↗ aljazeera.com ↗ pbs.org ↗