President Donald Trump is signaling he may soon step into one of the most closely watched Republican primary battles in the country — and he’s making it clear he wants the fight to end quickly.
Trump revealed Wednesday that he plans to endorse a candidate in the heated Texas GOP Senate runoff, and he suggested that the Republican who does not receive his backing should step aside in order to unite the party before the general election.
The race between Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has already become one of the most intense Republican primaries in the nation. Now, Trump’s expected endorsement could dramatically reshape the contest.
Trump Calls for Republicans to Unite
Trump shared his thoughts in a message posted on Truth Social, where he emphasized that the Republican Party must remain focused on defeating Democrats rather than fighting internally.
The president noted that both Cornyn and Paxton ran strong campaigns during the primary election, but said the party cannot afford a prolonged battle.
Trump argued that Republicans have a “Radical Left” opponent waiting in the general election and said the party must shift its attention toward defeating Democrats as soon as possible.
He also reminded supporters that his endorsements have historically carried tremendous weight in Republican primaries across the country.
According to Trump, once he announces his endorsement, he will ask the candidate who does not receive his support to drop out of the race immediately so Republicans can move forward together.
Texas Senate Race Headed for High-Stakes Runoff
The showdown between Cornyn and Paxton comes after neither candidate secured a majority of the vote in Tuesday’s Republican primary.
Cornyn finished slightly ahead with 41.9% of the vote, while Paxton came in close behind at 40.7%.
Rep. Wesley Hunt, who had also been competing for the nomination, narrowly missed advancing to the runoff.
Under Texas election law, when no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in a primary, the top two candidates move on to a runoff election, which in this case is scheduled for May 26.
Political observers say the race is now likely to become even more intense as both candidates compete for Trump’s influential endorsement.
Republican Leaders Quietly Push for Cornyn
Behind the scenes, some Republican leaders in Washington have reportedly encouraged Trump to support Cornyn.
According to reports, Senate GOP leadership believes Cornyn could have an advantage in the general election matchup against Democrat James Talarico.
Cornyn has served in the Senate for more than two decades and previously served as Texas attorney general in the 1990s, giving him a long record in statewide politics.
Some strategists believe his experience and fundraising ability could make it easier for Republicans to hold the seat in November.
Paxton Appeals to Grassroots Conservatives
While Cornyn has support from many establishment Republicans, Paxton has spent years building a strong following among grassroots conservative voters.
The Texas attorney general has frequently positioned himself as a fighter against federal overreach and a strong supporter of the America First movement.
Paxton has also emphasized his efforts challenging the results of the 2020 presidential election, which helped him gain support among many Trump-aligned voters.
Because of that, many political analysts believe Paxton could be a formidable candidate if he secures Trump’s endorsement.
Polling Shows Tight Race Between Cornyn and Paxton
Recent polling suggests the Texas Senate race is extremely competitive.
Cygnal pollster Brent Buchanan said Cornyn performed roughly in line with expectations based on earlier polling data.
However, Buchanan noted that Cornyn also spent significantly more money during the primary campaign compared with Paxton.
Some Republican strategists believe the only way to prevent an expensive and divisive runoff battle is for Trump to step in and encourage one candidate to withdraw.
Trump’s latest comments suggest that scenario could soon become reality.
Paxton’s Political Controversies Remain a Topic
Despite his popularity among many conservatives, Paxton’s political career has also included several legal and political battles.
In 2015, he faced a securities fraud indictment related to activities that occurred before he became Texas attorney general. Those charges were later dismissed through a pretrial agreement.
More recently, Paxton was impeached by the Texas House in 2023 over a series of allegations, including claims related to whistleblowers and alleged misuse of public resources.
However, the Texas Senate ultimately acquitted him in a narrow 16–14 vote.
Supporters argue the impeachment battle only strengthened Paxton’s standing with voters who see him as a target of political attacks.
Trump Allies Signal Major Announcement May Be Coming
Trump’s longtime political strategist Chris LaCivita has been working with a super PAC supporting Cornyn.
Shortly after Trump hinted at a possible endorsement, LaCivita posted on social media that his phone was “blowing up,” suggesting the president’s decision could have major consequences for the race.
Until now, Trump has remained officially neutral in the contest.
Even Sen. Ted Cruz, who has close relationships with both Cornyn and Paxton, has avoided taking sides in the primary.
Trump’s Endorsement Could Decide the Race
Many Republican strategists believe Trump’s endorsement could effectively determine the outcome of the Texas runoff.
Trump remains enormously influential among Republican voters, particularly in Texas, where his political support has remained strong for years.
If the president throws his support behind one candidate, it could quickly consolidate support and bring the primary battle to a rapid conclusion.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune recently told reporters that an early endorsement from Trump would help Republicans avoid a long internal fight and focus on defeating Democrats in November.
For now, both Cornyn and Paxton are waiting to see which candidate will receive Trump’s backing.
But one thing is already clear: when Trump makes his decision, it could instantly reshape the race for one of the most important Senate seats in America.