A number of establishment Republican senators are voicing displeasure with President Donald Trump’s decision to back Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against incumbent John Cornyn in the Texas Republican primary for U.S. Senate.
“I don’t understand. He is an ethically challenged individual. John Cornyn is an outstanding senator and deserved in my judgment the president’s support. Obviously it’s the president’s call but I’m disappointed that he did it,” said Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), who is currently running for re-election in a competitive race of her own.
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) — a longtime Trump critic who votes with Democrats far more often than the majority of her GOP colleagues — described herself as “supremely disappointed” in the endorsement. When asked about Trump’s motivation, she said, “I don’t understand it.”
Murkowski further claimed that Trump’s endorsement would place the GOP in danger of losing the seat against Democrat nominee James Talarico, a self-styled “moderate” who enthusiastically defends transgenderism and claims the Bible justifies leftist social views.
Politico/Bloomberg: Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) calls Trump’s endorsement of Paxton “extremely disappointing” and says it puts the Texas Senate seat in jeopardy. https://t.co/FbNKze6jGL pic.twitter.com/NFnruPAeo7
— Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) May 19, 2026
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), who had advocated for Cornyn, responded briefly with what has largely been interpreted as a jab at the president. “It’s his decision,” the majority leader said.
Prior to the endorsement, Senate Republican leaders had lobbied Trump to support Cornyn, citing concerns about the cost and divisiveness of a prolonged primary and potential challenges in the general election. Party leadership spent heavy — approximately $77 million — in the primary race to get Cornyn over the finish line, and have since hinted that they will withhold funds from the general election campaign in an effort to manufacture a Paxton loss out of spite.
The Texas Senate race occurs in a state where Republican candidates have maintained strong dominance. Democrats have not won a statewide election in Texas since 1994, a period spanning more than three decades despite repeated efforts to contest offices at every level.
