Senate Republicans angry and alarmed over Trump's Paxton endorsement

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Politico

05/19/2026 06:29 PM EDT


President Donald Trump’s last-minute endorsement of Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate primary set off panic among Republicans who worry that keeping the seat will now be a more expensive and potentially futile endeavor.

By endorsing Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn, Trump rejected the pleas of GOP leaders in Congress who for months had pushed Trump to back a proven winner in the Lone Star State. Now with Trump in his corner, Paxton is well situated to win the primary runoff next week and face Democratic nominee James Talarico in the general election — a matchup Democrats have dreamed of for months.

Trump’s long-awaited announcement was met with shock and dismay among Republicans on Capitol Hill. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said she was “supremely disappointed” by Trump’s decision, which she said “puts that seat in jeopardy.” “How does that help strengthen the president’s hand? I mean, we lose a state like Texas?” she asked rhetorically.

Paxton has dealt with a litany of personal and political problems, including a federal securities fraud investigation and ongoing divorce. He is “an ethically challenged individual,” said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), adding that Cornyn “deserved the president’s support.”. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who spent months lobbying the president to back Cornyn, was tight-lipped in the moments after Trump named his pick: “It’s his decision.” He later vowed to “continue to be supportive of Senator Cornyn and his reelection.”

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/19/with-trump-behind-paxton-republicans-fret-about-texas-senate-seat-00928897

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Paxton has 9 lives and managed to get through 2 impeachment attempts.

[callous taoboy]

1. What a bunch of mealy-mouthed turds, the MEpublicans.

[Buddyzbuddy]

2. 9 lives is appropriate since his behavior is much like an alley cat.

[sop]

3. They know Talarico stands a much better chance of defeating Paxton in the general election.

[Ray Bruns]

4. "He is 'an ethically challenged individual,' said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine)"

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Calm down there Susie. No need to use that sort of language. Just write ones of your sternly worded letters.

[Vogon_Glory]

5. Republican politics: inevitable progression

From party over country (Newt Gingrich era) to strongman over party (As we are seeing in Louisiana, Kentucky, (and real soon) Texas).

Anyone claiming that the Republican Party is dedicated to freedom and majority rule is blowing smoke up his or her backside.

[Cheezoholic]

6. I know one thing. If Paxton gets into DC the game may be over. Think MAGAt's are bad?

This guy will be like letting Al Capone into Ft. Knox. He'll make what FatAss and the current repukes are doing like kids stealing candy.

[Blue_Roses]

9. Exactly

Paxton is bad news

[Vogon_Glory]

7. While I am hoping that a Paxton nomination would help a Democratic opponent cross the finish line

I am afraid that the disengaged and apathetic Texas electorate will do what they’ve done time after time after time for decades and stay home, saving the day for Ken Paxton, even when the Trump-Abbot combo is being particularly blatant about screwing them over.

[travelingthrulife]

8. What nonsense. Quite obviously they love and revere criminals.

[Dangling0826]

10. I am hopeful but also realistic

I think if any Democrat has a chance in Texas, it is Talarico, but this is still Texas and the Republican party is a cult where Republicans will still do whatever the leader says. I do think that Paxton represents the best chance for a Democratic victory, but I sure don't want Paxton in the Senate. I am just hoping Trump and the Republicans have pissed off Latinos enough that we can really win.

[dlk]

11. This makes prefect sense

They are both felons