Overview
- Senate Republicans are urging President Trump to endorse Sen. John Cornyn in a three-way Texas primary they fear could become the cycle’s costliest Senate contest.
- The NRSC released internal polling showing Ken Paxton trailing Democrat James Talarico in a hypothetical matchup while Cornyn leads, arguing Texas cannot be taken for granted.
- Trump has so far declined to pick a side, with one GOP lawmaker saying his non-endorsement has already improved Cornyn’s chances of making an expected runoff.
- A late-January University of Houston poll shows Paxton at 38%, Cornyn at 31%, and Rep. Wesley Hunt at 17% among likely GOP voters, with early voting starting Feb. 17 ahead of the March 3 primary.
- Turning Point Action endorsed Paxton this week as Senate leaders publicly back incumbents and warn that Trump-fueled primary fights will waste resources needed for competitive general elections.