How Ken Paxton courted Donald Trump and won his endorsement

How Ken Paxton Secured Donald Trump’s Endorsement Amid Texas Senate Race Drama

How Ken Paxton courted Donald Trump – Ken Paxton’s political fortunes appeared to be in steep decline as the Texas Senate race entered a critical phase. After underperforming in the March 3 Republican primary, the state attorney general had narrowly lost to the long-serving incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, a candidate seen as a potential favorite to win the May 26 runoff. With Donald Trump poised to endorse Cornyn and his allies pushing for an immediate decision, Paxton found himself in a precarious position. Trump had hinted at endorsing Cornyn, stating he would “make a choice soon” and urging the candidate he backed to step aside. Paxton, however, refused to comply, a stance that Trump labeled “a bad move” during their interactions. This clash set the stage for a bold strategic shift by Paxton, one that would ultimately alter the trajectory of the race.

A Last-Minute Gambit

On March 5, at 12:18 p.m., Paxton took an unexpected step on X, the social media platform, by announcing his willingness to withdraw if Senate Republicans passed the Save America Act—a key piece of legislation favored by Trump. The bill aims to strengthen voter ID requirements, a policy central to Trump’s political identity. Paxton’s message was clear: he would sacrifice his campaign in exchange for a legislative victory. “I’m going to consider dropping out if they pass this bill,” he wrote, a move described by insiders as a “Hail Mary” attempt to salvage his candidacy. The timing of the post was strategic; Paxton shared it directly with Trump to ensure the former president noticed it. This maneuver, though risky, seemed to resonate with Trump, who had grown frustrated by leaks about his endorsement plans and constant pressure from Cornyn’s supporters.

“This is the president’s party, let’s just be very, very clear,” said Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas, an early supporter of Paxton. “I think it is incumbent upon members of Congress and others to just remember that—remember that when it comes to the president’s agenda.”

Paxton’s gamble paid off. After a 75-day delay, Trump abruptly endorsed him on Tuesday, marking a dramatic reversal in the race’s momentum. For Paxton’s allies, this decision validated their belief in his loyalty to Trump, a sentiment that had long been a point of contention within the GOP. Cornyn’s supporters, however, faced a crushing blow. The endorsement not only shifted the narrative but also created a rift among Senate Republicans, who had previously viewed Cornyn as a safe choice. The political calculus had changed, and Paxton now emerged as the frontrunner in a race that had seemed evenly matched just weeks earlier.

The Strategy Behind the Shift

Officials close to the decision-making process noted that Paxton’s move was a calculated effort to align his campaign with Trump’s legislative priorities. By tying his survival to the passage of the Save America Act, he positioned himself as a loyalist who would prioritize the president’s agenda over personal ambition. This strategy worked, as Trump’s endorsement became a powerful endorsement of Paxton’s commitment to the issues that define his political base. White House insiders also highlighted that Trump had always preferred Paxton over Cornyn, a sentiment reinforced by Cornyn’s 2023 remark that Trump’s influence had “passed him by.” Paxton, they said, had consistently emphasized this point, framing it as evidence of Cornyn’s inconsistency.

The endorsement came as Trump continued his campaign of political retribution. In recent weeks, he had helped unseat Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and a group of Indiana state lawmakers, fueling a sense of momentum within his team. This “hot streak” of victories made Trump more confident in his ability to sway Senate races, and Paxton’s support became a logical choice. The former president’s allies had been relentless in their advocacy for Cornyn, but Trump’s shift demonstrated that his focus had broadened to include candidates who would align with his policy goals, even if they were not his most steadfast allies.

The Cost of a Trump Endorsement

While Trump’s backing elevated Paxton’s profile, it also introduced new challenges for Senate GOP leaders. Republican-aligned groups had spent tens of millions of dollars attacking Paxton, portraying him as an unelectable candidate with a long list of controversies. Now, with Trump’s endorsement, those attacks may be overshadowed by the former president’s influence. Democrats, eager to exploit this development, saw the shift as an opportunity to disrupt the Senate’s balance of power. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer immediately called the endorsement a “turning point,” claiming Democrats were in a “much better shape” to win the Texas race.

Yet, within the White House, officials remained optimistic about Paxton’s viability. They acknowledged that while the endorsement would require additional support, it was unlikely to be a major hurdle in a state that has not elected a Democrat for a statewide office in three decades. “There’s still work to do, but we’re confident in his ability to rally the base,” one official said. This sentiment contrasted with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who had been working tirelessly to secure Trump’s endorsement for Cornyn. Thune had spoken to Trump frequently in recent months, hoping to position Cornyn as the best option for the party. However, Trump’s final decision left Thune and other GOP leaders scrambling to adjust their strategies.

Thune, when asked how he learned of Trump’s endorsement, admitted he had discovered the news through the same channels as everyone else. “I found out, I think, the way everyone else did,” he said, hinting at a lack of coordination between the White House and Senate leadership. Despite this, Thune continued to back Cornyn, arguing that the former senator still had a strong chance in the runoff. But with Trump’s endorsement, the dynamics of the race had shifted dramatically. Cornyn, who had always faced an uphill battle in his bid for a fifth Senate term, now found himself on the defensive. His partnership with Democrats to pass new gun safety laws in 2022 had already alienated some conservative voters, and his earlier criticism of Trump’s political influence in 2023 had resurfaced as a point of contention.

“I think it is incumbent upon members of Congress and others to just remember that—remember that when it comes to the president’s agenda,” Rep. Troy Nehls said, echoing the sentiment that Trump’s endorsement of Paxton was a signal of loyalty to the party’s broader goals.

Cornyn’s campaign had relied heavily on the perception of being a moderate, a position that allowed him to appeal to both establishment Republicans and moderate voters. However, Trump’s endorsement of Paxton disrupted that narrative, forcing Cornyn to defend his record and reassure voters that he remained a viable candidate. The former senator’s campaign was also criticized for its lack of urgency in addressing Paxton’s scandals, a weakness that Trump’s allies had highlighted as a key factor in his defeat. With the former president’s backing, Paxton now had a significant advantage, but the race was far from over. The Senate GOP leaders would need to find a way to counter Trump’s influence and rally support for Cornyn in the final stretch.

As the May 26 runoff approaches, the political landscape in Texas remains fluid. Trump’s endorsement has reinvigorated Paxton’s campaign, but it has also intensified the scrutiny on Cornyn. The former president’s decision underscores the power of his influence in shaping the outcome of high-stakes races, even in states where his direct reach is limited. For Paxton, the endorsement represents a long-awaited validation of his strategy and a chance to cement his place as a key player in the Republican movement. For Cornyn, it is a reminder of the challenges of maintaining a coalition in an increasingly polarized environment. The race, once seen as a toss-up, now hinges on whether Trump’s support can translate into a decisive victory—or whether Cornyn can reclaim the momentum he lost in the primary.