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Republican says Trump’s support of Ken Paxton in Texas primary was ‘colossal mistake’
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- US Senator Thom Tillis criticized former President Donald Trump for endorsing Ken Paxton over incumbent John Cornyn in the Texas Senate Republican primary, calling it a "colossal mistake" and an "unforced error" that risks the GOP's Senate seat.
- Tillis praised Cornyn as a strong senator and highlighted Paxton's political scandals, including a 2023 impeachment, felony securities fraud indictment, and recent divorce citing adultery.
- Trump backed Paxton for his loyalty to the Make America Great Again movement, while Cornyn had urged Republicans to move on from Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign.
- Paxton's primary win sets up a general election contest against Democrat James Talarico, who could become the first Democrat in over 30 years to win statewide office in Texas if victorious.
- Tillis has a history of publicly opposing Trump, including defending NATO and criticizing leadership in the Department of Homeland Security.
