Democrats cautiously optimistic after Trump backs Paxton in Texas Senate runoff
Democrats are feeling anxious but hopeful about their chances of winning a Senate seat in Texas following President Trump’s decision to back state Attorney General Ken Paxton. Trump's endorsement is seen as a boost to Democratic nominee James Talarico, who is considered a strong candidate. The Texas Senate runoff has become the most expensive primary and priciest primary runoff on record, with significant cash advantages for both Talarico and incumbent Sen. John Cornyn.
- ▪President Trump has endorsed Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate runoff, which could leave Democrats with a vulnerable opponent in the general election.
- ▪A University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll found James Talarico up 7 and 8 points over Cornyn and Paxton, respectively.
- ▪The Texas Senate runoff has become the most expensive primary and priciest primary runoff on record, with roughly $20 million spent in support of Cornyn and $5 million spent in support of Paxton.
25 outlets in our directory ran this story, first to last over 44 hours. Coverage spans 4 points on the political spectrum — 11 lean left, 3 centre, 1 lean right, 8 right.
- ▪ Trump endorses Paxton in Texas Senate primary, boosting Democrats’ hopes — Crypto Briefing
- ▪ Trump backs Ken Paxton against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in Texas — CBS News — Top
- ▪ John Cornyn just learned that hiring Team Trump doesn’t buy you the endorsement — Washington Examiner
- ▪ Trump Humiliates John Cornyn With Paxton Endorsement — The Bulwark
- ▪ Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas GOP primary, boosting his challenge to incumbent Sen. Cornyn - AP News — Google News
- ▪ Trump's endorsement in Republican Senate contest in Texas changes race in final days — NPR — Politics
- ▪ Trump backs Paxton over Cornyn for Texas senator in shock endorsement — South China Morning Post
- ▪ Republican Senators Are Livid at Trump’s Endorsement of Paxton — NYT > Top Stories
- ▪ Trump endorses in pivotal Texas Senate race — The Blaze
- ▪ Trump Endorses Scandal-Ridden Ken Paxton for Texas Senate — Rolling Stone
- ▪ ‘Paxton Will Never Let You Down’: Trump Drops Senate Endorsement — PJ Media
- ▪ Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas GOP Senate runoff — NBC News — Politics
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| Original publisher | The Hill |
| Canonical URL | https://thehill.com/newsletters/on-the-ballot/5887175-democrats-hopeful-texas-senate/ |
| Publication time | Thu, 21 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-21T12:11:11.063Z |
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On The Ballot Democrats cautiously optimistic after Trump backs Paxton in Texas Senate runoff Comments: by Caroline Vakil and Julia Mueller - 05/21/26 8:00 AM ET Comments: Link copied by Caroline Vakil and Julia Mueller - 05/21/26 8:00 AM ET Comments: Link copied NOW PLAYING Democrats are feeling anxious but hopeful about their chances of winning a Senate seat in Texas following President Trump’s decision to back state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), who is seen as a weaker general election candidate than Sen. John Cornyn (R). While Texas has long been a great white whale for the party, Democrats think they have a uniquely strong nominee in James Talarico and that Trump’s boost of Paxton could leave them with a vulnerable opponent.
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