Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton made clear this week that he is not backing down from his U.S. Senate bid, even as President Donald Trump signaled he may soon endorse Paxton’s Republican rival, Sen. John Cornyn.
The standoff unfolded after Trump posted on Truth Social that he would announce his endorsement in the Texas Senate race “soon.” He added a pointed warning: the candidate who does not receive his backing would be instructed to “immediately DROP OUT OF THE RACE!” The message was widely interpreted as pressure aimed at Paxton, who has been challenging Cornyn in a closely watched GOP primary contest.
Rather than retreat, Paxton responded with defiance. Speaking publicly on Wednesday, he said he would remain in the race regardless of the president’s position.
“I’m staying in this race,” Paxton said, framing his decision as a commitment to voters. “I owe it to the people of Texas.”
Trump reacted the following day, calling Paxton’s stance “bad for him.” He suggested that Paxton’s refusal to step aside could influence his endorsement decision. “So maybe, maybe that leads me to go the other direction,” Trump said, leaving open the possibility that he would back Cornyn instead.
Even so, Paxton did not waver. In an interview with conservative commentator Benny Johnson on Thursday, the attorney general emphasized that he believes Texas voters should decide the outcome.
“No, I’m going to give people in Texas a choice,” Paxton said. “The people in Washington can have their own opinion. The president can have his own opinion, but I’ve been in this race for almost a year, and we’re going to win this race in the runoff.”
His remarks underscored a notable tension within Republican ranks: a statewide officeholder openly resisting pressure from a president who remains highly influential among GOP primary voters. Paxton’s message suggested that he sees his candidacy as rooted in state-level support rather than dependent on a presidential endorsement.
During the same exchange, Johnson asked Paxton whether he had any indication that Trump might ultimately endorse him. Paxton replied that he was aware of claims made by Cornyn suggesting that Susie Wiles, Trump’s chief of staff, may be playing a role behind the scenes.
“I don’t know what’s true or not true,” Paxton said, declining to speculate further.
The comments add another layer of uncertainty to an already competitive primary. Trump’s endorsement has historically carried significant weight in Republican contests, particularly in Texas, where his backing has helped shape previous races. Yet Paxton’s refusal to yield signals that he is prepared to test that influence head-on.
For now, the attorney general appears intent on pressing forward, presenting himself as an independent-minded contender willing to stand firm even under pressure from his party’s most prominent figure. Whether that approach strengthens or complicates his path to the Senate will likely depend on how Texas Republican voters respond in the months ahead.
