President Trump’s surprise endorsement catapulted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to a landslide victory in Tuesday’s Republican Senate primary runoff election.
As has been the case throughout the 2026 midterm primary season, Trump’s stamp of approval remains critical for GOP candidates in local and statewide elections.
Here are four takeaways from the contests in the Lone Star State.
Paxton calls Trump endorsement ‘the most powerful force in politics‘
After coming in second place in the preliminary March 3 primary, Paxton was propelled by the president’s endorsement — defeating incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) by a stunning 27-point margin (63.8% to 36.2%) in the runoff.
“When everyone in Washington told him to abandon me and abandon the people of Texas, he didn’t listen,” Paxton said of Trump. “Instead, he gave his complete and total endorsement.”
Paxton’s win marks the third closely watched result in 10 days that demonstrates Trump’s unrivaled influence over the Republican Party, following the defeats of Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.).
Trump may have ended John Cornyn’s political career
Cornyn was fighting for his political life ahead of the president’s endorsement in the bruising Texas GOP Senate primary.
In his concession speech, the longtime GOP lawmaker appeared wistful and reflected on his more than 40 years in public office, calling it an “incredible ride.”
“To everyone who’s worked with me, alongside of me, for all these many years, I just want to say thank you,” Cornyn said.
The senator added, “A scripture verse comes to mind as well, where the apostle Paul said, ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’”
He also pledged to support Paxton in his race against Democratic nominee James Talarico.
Sex therapist denounced by Dems over ‘insane, antisemitic views’ loses primary race
Maureen Galindo, the sex therapist who vowed to force “American Zionists” into federal immigration detention centers where she hoped some would be castrated, was soundly defeated by her opponent, Johnny Garcia, in the Lone Star State’s 35th Congressional District runoff.
In a joint statement on May 20, Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) said they would force a vote to expel Galindo “every single day” if she ended up in Congress.
“Maureen’s insane, antisemitic views — including putting Americans in concentration camps — have no place in our party or country,” the House Democrats added.
Two incumbent House Democrats lose in new districts
Reps. Al Green (D-Texas) and Julie Johnson (D-Texas) were defeated in House primary runoff races after Texas’ new congressional boundaries forced them to run in different districts.
Johnson, who currently represents Texas’ 32nd District, ran in the state’s 33rd District and lost to former Rep. Colin Allred.
Green, who currently represents the 9th District, ran in the 18th District, and lost to fellow Rep. Christian Menefee (D-Texas).
Both districts are considered solidly Democratic by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
