The Republican establishment in the Senate is NOT happy about President Trump’s endorsement of Ken Paxton
By Easton Martin | May 20, 2026
Senate Republicans are reacting with deep frustration following President Trump’s decision to endorse Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the state’s high-stakes Republican primary runoff, bypassing four-term incumbent Senator John Cornyn.
The move by the president, coming mid-way through early voting for the May runoff, has exposed a sharp rift between the party’s Washington leadership and the MAGA base, sparking immediate fears that a historically safe Republican seat could become vulnerable in November.
The primary concern among Senate leadership seems to be financial and tactical. Establishment Republicans have spent months warning that Paxton, who they say carries substantial political baggage, will face a far more difficult general election match against the Democratic nominee, state Representative James Talarico. National Republicans have already heavily backed Cornyn, who led Paxton in the initial March primary. Lawmakers fear they will now have to divert millions of dollars to defend a seat in Texas, resources that are desperately needed to defend a narrow three-seat Senate majority in other competitive states.
Senator Lindsey Graham estimated that a general election campaign with Paxton at the top of the ticket could cost the party three times as much. While Graham noted that Republicans would support Paxton if he wins the primary, he remarked that the path forward is more uphill and it will cost more.
Other Republican senators openly criticized Paxton’s history, pointing to the legal controversies that have followed him throughout his eleven years as attorney general. Senator Susan Collins called Paxton an ethically challenged individual, referencing the corruption and infidelity allegations that led to his 2023 impeachment by the Texas House. Though the Texas Senate ultimately acquitted Paxton, his critics argue that those scandals will be weaponized by Democrats in the general election. Senator Lisa Murkowski called the endorsement supremely disappointing, warning that the decision could put the red state in play for Democrats.
Trump explained his decision in a lengthy social media post, framing it as a matter of loyalty. While calling Cornyn a good man, Trump complained that the incumbent senator was not supportive of him when times were tough and was slow to back his previous campaign. He praised Paxton as a true MAGA Warrior.
Cornyn pushed back against the characterization, noting that he voted with Trump more than 99 percent of the time during his presidential terms. Cornyn has previously argued that Paxton’s nomination would hand the seat to Democrats on a silver platter.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune attempted to project confidence about retaining the party’s majority but did not hide his frustration over the decision, which followed months of lobbying by GOP leadership to keep Trump out of the race.
