Following President Donald Trump's endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race, reactions among Senate Republicans varied. Many senators were preparing for a closed-door lunch to discuss immigration funding when the endorsement was announced, leading to concerns about the implications for the Republican seat historically held by the party.
Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed disappointment, stating that the decision could jeopardize the seat. She questioned how this endorsement would strengthen the Republican position in Texas. The winner of the runoff will face Democratic state Representative James Talarico, who has received endorsements from prominent Democrats, including former President Barack Obama.
Historically, Texas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1988. However, some Republicans, including Senator Steve Daines, supported incumbent John Cornyn, citing him as the safer option. Cornyn has criticized Paxton over various scandals and expressed concern that Paxton's nomination could harm the GOP's chances in the upcoming election.
Paxton's campaign strategist, Nick Maddux, defended Paxton, highlighting his success in previous statewide elections and criticizing Cornyn's record. Maddux emphasized the need for Republican unity against Talarico, whom he described as a radical Democrat.
The endorsement from Trump, coming just before the primary runoff, has caused unrest among Senate Republicans, especially following recent losses of Trump-backed candidates. Senate Majority Leader John Thune noted that while he supported Cornyn, the endorsement was ultimately Trump's decision.