Texas Republicans’ Senate runoff moves forward as withdrawal deadline passes

The Republican primary runoff in the Texas Senate race will continue, with the deadline for a candidate to withdraw from the race set for Tuesday as President Donald Trump considers whether to support Sen. John Cornyn or state Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Trump had teased his support after the March 3 primary and called on the candidate he did not support to withdraw and prevent a May 26 primary runoff election. He wrote on Truth Social on March 4 that the GOP contest “cannot, for the sake of the Party and our country itself, be allowed to continue any longer. IT MUST STOP NOW!”

Trump appeared ready to back Cornyn after the senator was the first to gain votes in the first round of the primary, outperforming Paxton 42 to 41 percent. But so far, the president has not endorsed any candidate. Republican candidates had until 5 p.m. Tuesday local time to withdraw from the race and cancel the runoff, making the remaining candidate the party nominee.

Neither Cornyn nor Paxton have withdrawn from the race, according to their campaigns. A candidate could still declare they are withdrawing from the race before the May runoff, but their name would remain on the runoff ballot.

Trump has tied his support to the fate of a bill overhauling the nation’s election laws, known as the SAVE America Act.

“A lot of things have to do with the SAVE America Act. A lot of things are going to be the deciding factor: Republicans have to pass it, because that’s going to guarantee voting in this country,” Trump told NBC News in an interview last weekend, noting that he could make a decision on his support for the race in the coming days.

Paxton said he would consider dropping out of the race if Senate leaders agree to remove the 60-vote threshold to end debate on legislation, known as the filibuster, and pass the SAVE America Act.

Cornyn, who had previously been a strong supporter of the filibuster, reversed course last week and said he would support “any changes to the Senate rules that may be necessary” to pass the measure.

The Senate began debating the SAVE America Act on Tuesday. And Paxton, in a statement, said Cornyn should be held accountable if the bill doesn’t pass.

“If the Save America Act fails, it will be because John Cornyn refused to truly fight for it,” Paxton said. “He campaigned to be Mr. Efficient in the Swamp, and it’s time for him to put his money where his mouth is.”

Meanwhile, the jockeying for Trump’s support continues.

Lone Star Liberty PAC, a super PAC supporting Paxton, launched a television ad in the West Palm Beach media market this weekend while Trump was in Florida, according to ad tracking company AdImpact.

The spot highlights Cornyn’s past criticism of Trump, including when the senator suggested that Trump was not the most electable presidential candidate in 2024. The ad also includes Cornyn’s praise of some officials who have drawn Trump’s ire, such as former FBI Director James Comey.

Cornyn’s campaign also began attacking Paxton on the airwaves, launching a television ad highlighting allegations of bribery and corruption that led to Paxton’s impeachment in 2023. The state Senate ultimately acquitted Paxton. The ad also states that Paxton’s wife is divorcing for “biblical reasons.”

Cornyn and his allies have long argued that Paxton’s controversies would jeopardize Paxton’s seat in November. Democratic Rep. James Talarico won his party’s primary in March and will face the Republican nominee in November.

Trump dismissed concerns about Paxton’s electability in the recent interview with NBC News.

“No, I think they both win,” Trump said, calling Talarico “very weak.”