Voters in Texas are set to participate in a Senate runoff election on Tuesday to determine the Republican nominee, which could influence control of the Senate. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Senator John Cornyn in this race. In the March primary, Cornyn received 42% of the vote, while Paxton garnered 40%, leading to the runoff against GOP Rep. Wesley Hunt.
Trump's endorsement has been significant in recent primaries, where he successfully supported candidates who ousted non-endorsed incumbents. Although Trump has acknowledged Cornyn as a "good man," he criticized the senator for not being sufficiently supportive in the past. Cornyn continues to receive backing from the Senate Republican campaign arm and many colleagues who express concerns about Paxton's past controversies potentially jeopardizing the Republican seat.
The runoff is noted to be the most expensive in Texas history, with approximately $25 million spent, contributing to a total of $100 million spent in the primary election.
In addition to the Senate race, several congressional districts in Texas are also holding competitive primaries. In the 18th Congressional District, Rep. Christian Menefee faces Rep. Al Green, while in the 33rd District, Rep. Julie Johnson competes against former Rep. Colin Allred. The 35th District features a contentious race involving candidate Maureen Galindo, who has faced criticism for her controversial campaign statements.
Galindo's campaign has been condemned by Democratic leaders, and she will compete against Johnny Garcia in the runoff. In the 118th Congressional District, State Rep. John Lujan and Trump-endorsed Carlos De La Cruz are also in a runoff, with Lujan potentially marking a first loss for a Trump-endorsed candidate this election cycle.
