As early voting kicks off Tuesday in Texas’s closely watched Republican Senate primary, President Donald Trump is keeping his options open — at least for now.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One Monday night, Trump declined to endorse a single candidate in the three-way GOP contest between Attorney General Ken Paxton, incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Wesley Hunt.
“I just haven’t made a decision on that race yet. It’s got a ways to go, and I haven’t,” Trump said when asked whether he would back Paxton over Cornyn. “[Cornyn’s] a good man. John is a good — I like all three of them, actually. They’ve all supported me. They’re all good and you’re supposed to pick one. So, we’ll see what happens. But I support all three.”
The Republican nominee will be determined in the March 3 primary. If no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers will advance to a May 26 runoff. The eventual GOP nominee will face either Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, or state Sen. James Talarico in the general election.
All three Republican campaigns quickly welcomed Trump’s remarks, underscoring the president’s continued influence within the party.
Cornyn’s campaign highlighted his long-standing support for Trump, noting that the senator has voted with the president “99.3% of the time while in office.” Senior adviser Matt Mackowiak told The Daily Wire that Cornyn’s record demonstrates loyalty and electability, arguing he would keep the seat securely in Republican hands. Mackowiak also suggested that nominating Paxton could require significant spending.
A spokesperson for Paxton did not respond in time for publication, though the attorney general has frequently emphasized his backing of Trump. Paxton was recently endorsed by Turning Point Action, a prominent conservative organization. On Tuesday, as early voting began, Paxton urged Texans to “fire John Cornyn,” signaling a direct challenge to the incumbent.
Hunt, for his part, framed Trump’s comments as an opportunity rather than a setback. He said the president’s endorsement “isn’t given, it’s earned,” and argued that his campaign “has the momentum” and is “surging in the polls” ahead of the primary.
Trump’s decision to withhold a singular endorsement is not unprecedented. In April of last year, he backed both Karrin Taylor Robson and Rep. Andy Biggs in Arizona’s gubernatorial primary, though Robson later withdrew. In Missouri’s 2022 Senate primary, Trump famously endorsed “ERIC” in a contest between Eric Schmitt and Eric Greitens, with Schmitt ultimately winning the seat.
The Texas race is rated “Likely Republican” by the Cook Political Report, but the broader Senate map remains competitive. Republicans are working to maintain their 53-47 majority, with four races currently categorized as “toss-ups.”
Trump has also weighed in on other key primaries. He recently endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., in her challenge to incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and backed former Sen. John Sununu in New Hampshire over former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown in another closely watched contest.
For now, Trump’s message in Texas is clear: he sees strength across the field. With early voting underway and the primary approaching, all three candidates will continue making their case to voters — and perhaps to the president — in one of the GOP’s most closely watched races of the cycle.
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