Texas Senate Primary Enters Final Phase as Paxton Adjusts Strategy Following Trump Endorsement
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is adjusting his campaign strategy in the Republican primary runoff against Senator John Cornyn. Following a key endorsement from Donald Trump, Paxton's campaign has pulled negative ads against Cornyn, while Cornyn's campaign continues to outspend him significantly. The winner will face Democratic nominee James Talarico in the general election.
Facts First
- Ken Paxton is in a Republican primary runoff against incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn.
- Donald Trump endorsed Paxton, leading his campaign to air ads touting the endorsement and pull negative ads against Cornyn.
- Cornyn's campaign and supporting groups have outspent pro-Paxton groups by a roughly three-to-one margin on advertising.
- The Democratic nominee for the general election is state Representative James Talarico.
- Paxton was previously impeached for corruption and acquitted, and his past includes an alleged affair.
What Happened
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is participating in a primary runoff against incumbent Senator John Cornyn. Following an endorsement from Donald Trump, Paxton's campaign and a supporting super PAC began airing ads highlighting the endorsement. On Thursday, Paxton's campaign stated it is pulling negative ads against Cornyn. Paxton spoke to supporters at campaign events in McKinney on Tuesday and in a town outside Austin on Thursday.
Cornyn's campaign and supporting groups have significantly outspent pro-Paxton groups on advertising. According to the ad-tracking firm AdImpact, Cornyn's side has spent roughly $90 million through this week, including over $20 million since the March 3 primary. Paxton's campaign and his supporting super PAC have combined to spend roughly $10.5 million, with about $6.1 million spent since the primary. Cornyn's campaign also released a video on X featuring clips of Trump praising him.
Why this Matters to You
The outcome of this primary could influence the direction of the Republican Party and the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. A victory for Paxton, who has Trump's endorsement, might signal continued strong influence for the former president within the party. The significant spending in this race highlights the high stakes for both national and state political forces. You may see a shift in campaign messaging as Paxton's team focuses on promoting Trump's support rather than attacking Cornyn directly.
What's Next
The primary runoff will determine which Republican advances to the general election to face Democratic nominee James Talarico. The spending disparity suggests Cornyn's campaign may continue to have a larger presence in advertising through the final phase of the primary. The race's outcome could be seen as a test of Trump's endorsement power against established incumbents, following mixed results in other states like Kentucky, where a Trump-backed candidate lost, and Louisiana and Indiana, where Trump-backed challengers defeated incumbents.