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3w ago

Abbott Stays Neutral as Cornyn–Paxton Runoff Enters Early Voting

Elite GOP neutrality leaves a late Trump endorsement as the biggest unknown.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (left) and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The winner of the May 26 runoff will face Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico in the November general election.
The U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2022.
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Overview

  • Early in-person voting begins Monday, May 18, for a Republican runoff that will decide whether Sen. John Cornyn or Attorney General Ken Paxton tops the ticket on May 26.
  • Gov. Greg Abbott said he will not endorse either candidate, and other top Republicans have stayed quiet, signaling a hands-off approach from party leaders.
  • The contest has become a big-money ad fight, with reports pegging total spending near $130 million and at least $23 million in TV ads since March, including spots attacking Cornyn over comments about Muslim groups and blasting Paxton over an affair and lenient plea deals.
  • Both campaigns are launching statewide tours to turn out supporters, with Cornyn joined by Rick Perry and Phil Gramm and Paxton boosted by Lone Star Liberty PAC rallies, in a race where a larger electorate tends to help Cornyn and a smaller, more conservative one tends to help Paxton.
  • Political analysts say a last-minute endorsement from President Donald Trump could tip a close race that national Republicans view as pivotal for Senate control in November.