What to Watch in Texas Runoff Elections: Trump Endorsements, Democratic Incumbents and More
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Texas Senator John Cornyn is facing a critical runoff election against right-wing challenger Ken Paxton, who has been endorsed by former President Trump despite being embroiled in scandals.
- Paxton narrowly trailed Cornyn in the March Republican primary and aims to become the second Trump-backed challenger this year to unseat a sitting senator, following a similar upset attempt in Louisiana.
- Cornyn and other Republican senators warn that Paxton's vulnerabilities could jeopardize the GOP seat to Democrat James Talarico in the upcoming general election, highlighting Texas as a key battleground.
- The runoff election coincides with other notable races, including a contest between two representatives where a Democratic incumbent may lose, and a border district race featuring a controversial Democratic candidate supported by a Republican-linked super PAC.
- Cornyn's campaign emphasizes his electability in a state Republicans have dominated statewide for 30 years, positioning Paxton as a risky choice for the party's hold on the Senate seat.