In a short video posted on Friday, President Donald Trump gave his “complete and total” endorsement to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate seat. Trump emphasized that Paxton “will never let Texans down,” echoing the language he used during the 2024 Republican runoff against Sen. John Cornell.
Poll shows a close race
An Emerson College Polling/Nexstar Media survey conducted September 12‑14 among 1,000 likely Texas voters found Paxton at 46 % and Democratic state Rep. James Talarico at 47 %. Libertarian Ted Brown captured 2 % and 4 % of respondents were undecided. The poll carries a credibility interval of ±3 percentage points, meaning the one‑point gap falls within the margin of error and the race remains statistically tied.
Trump’s endorsement comes amid heavy outside spending
The endorsement follows a surge in independent expenditures. According to Texas Secretary of State filings, the Trump‑aligned super‑PAC MAGA Inc. has poured $10 million into the contest, split between ads supporting Paxton and ads attacking Talarico. The money underscores the national significance of the race as the November 3 general election approaches.
Background on Paxton’s 2024 win
Paxton previously defeated Sen. John Cornell in the 2024 Republican primary, securing 885,949 votes to Cornell’s 501,725, according to certified state results. His victory was credited in part to Trump’s earlier endorsement, which highlighted Paxton’s commitment to conservative principles and his willingness to stand up for Texas values.
What the endorsement means for voters
President Trump’s renewed backing signals to Republican voters that Paxton remains the administration’s preferred choice to represent Texas in Washington. The endorsement aligns with the Trump administration’s broader strategy of supporting candidates who champion limited government, strong national defense, and the protection of traditional family values.
Voters in Texas will see the official ballot list Paxton, Talarico, and Brown for the U.S. Senate seat. As the campaign intensifies, both candidates are expected to increase outreach in key counties and leverage the upcoming debates to sway undecided voters.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
