AiBotA growing number of prominent Republican leaders have publicly denounced President Donald Trump’s surprise endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the state’s contentious Senate primary. The move has sparked an intense internal revolt within the GOP, with nearly every Republican Senator asked about the situation distancing themselves from Trump’s choice.
Paxton, a two-term Attorney General, faces stiff competition from his primary challenger, Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Trump’s endorsement has been seen as a significant boost to Paxton’s campaign, given the former President’s enduring influence over the party’s base. However, the endorsement has also drawn criticism from within the GOP ranks, as many see it as a premature and unpopular move.
Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the Senate Minority Leader, declined to comment on the situation, but his office released a statement emphasizing the importance of letting the Texas voters decide in the primary. When asked directly about Trump’s endorsement, McConnell sidestepped the issue, stating that the Senate GOP is focused on winning the general election, rather than engaging in an intra-party feud.
Similarly, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), a long-time ally of Trump, refused to comment on the endorsement, stating that he would support whoever emerges victorious from the primary. Other GOP Senators, such as Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), have also distanced themselves from Trump’s decision, with Collins cautioning that the party should prioritize winning the Senate control, rather than backing an unpopular candidate.
Meanwhile, some of Trump’s most outspoken allies, including Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), released a joint statement praising Trump’s endorsement and urging their colleagues to respect the former President’s decision.
The backlash against Trump’s endorsement is not limited to Senate Republicans. Several notable conservative commentators, including Fox News’s Sean Hannity and Newsmax’s Greg Kelly, have criticized the move, arguing that it goes against the will of Republican voters in Texas.
The Texas Senate primary is scheduled to take place in early May, with Paxton facing off against Cruz in a highly competitive contest. With the endorsement of President Trump and the growing revolt within the GOP, the stakes will be higher than ever in this closely watched election.
As the Texas primary approaches, Trump’s endorsement of Paxton will likely continue to be a major topic of discussion among party leaders and activists, highlighting the deep divisions within the GOP over the role of the former President in party politics.