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The possibility that Trump will cost the GOP the Senate is coming into focus
CNN • • nation
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump's endorsements and actions have been linked to Republican losses in key Senate races in 2020 and 2022, raising concerns about similar impacts in the 2026 elections.
- In Texas, Trump's backing of Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Senator John Cornyn has led to a competitive race, with Paxton trailing Democrat James Talarico in recent polls despite Cornyn's own vulnerabilities.
- In North Carolina, Trump's attacks contributed to Senator Thom Tillis's retirement, leading to a weaker GOP candidate and increasing Democratic chances in a state Trump previously won.
- Trump's endorsement of controversial candidates in Georgia and South Carolina has complicated GOP efforts, with issues ranging from ties to white nationalists to intra-party dissatisfaction over appointments.
- Despite past evidence that Trump's actions have hurt Republican Senate prospects, including his role in the 2021 Georgia runoffs, he continues to influence candidate selection in ways that may jeopardize the party's Senate majority in 2026.
