Rivals Cornyn and Paxton join Trump for Texas flood visit
Senator John Cornyn and Texas Attorney general Ken Paxton, despite being engaged in a contentious GOP primary race, set aside their differences during President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Texas to assess flood damage.Cornyn accompanied Trump and Senator Ted Cruz on Air Force One to Kerrville for a tour of the affected area, while Paxton participated in a related roundtable meeting. Trump acknowledged Paxton during the event, highlighting the importance of his endorsement in the Republican primary.
The primary battle has been intense, with Paxton raising nearly $3 million in the second quarter and Cornyn’s supporting PAC raising about $10.9 million. Simultaneously occurring, Paxton is dealing with personal turmoil as his wife, Texas state Senator Angela Paxton, announced plans for divorce citing adultery allegations.
Both Cornyn and Paxton expressed gratitude toward Trump for his leadership and support in response to the devastating floods that claimed over 135 lives in central Texas. The Texas GOP primary is scheduled for March 3, 2026. On the Democratic side, former U.S. Representative Colin Allred has launched a Senate bid, although Texas remains a challenging state for Democrats, having been won by Trump by 14 points in the last election.
Cornyn and Paxton put bitter primary aside for Texas flood visit with Trump
Despite fighting a bitter GOP primary battle against each other, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and challenger Attorney General Ken Paxton put their differences aside as President Donald Trump came to Texas.
Sen. John Cornyn flew aboard Air Force One with Trump to Kerrville, Texas, along with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), joining them on a tour of the area’s devastating flood damage.
Cornyn, who has been in the Senate since 2003, hopes to defeat Paxton’s primary challenge as he seeks a fifth term in the Upper Chamber.
While Paxton wasn’t on the plane, he was mentioned among the dozens of officials at an afternoon roundtable.
“Attorney General Ken Paxton, Ken’s around here some place?” Trump said, scanning the room. “Hi, Ken.”
Paxton likely enjoyed the shoutout, given that Trump’s support remains a coveted and often decisive factor in statewide Republican primaries.
It has been a busy few weeks in the race. Paxton raised almost $3 million in the second quarter while the Cornyn-backing group Texas for a Conservative Majority PAC says it raised $10.9 million during the same time frame, according to The Hill.
Just Thursday, Paxton’s wife, Texas state Sen. Angela Paxton, announced that she is divorcing him on “biblical grounds,” citing “recent discoveries” she has made.
“I believe marriage is a sacred covenant and I have earnestly pursued reconciliation,” Angela Paxton wrote on X. “But in light of recent discoveries, I do not believe that it honors God or is loving to myself, my children, or Ken to remain in the marriage.”
Angela Paxton alleged that her husband committed adultery and said the couple stopped living together a year ago.
All of that took a back burner on Friday as the men mourned the loss of more than 135 people who had died in central Texas flooding. Paxton and Cornyn each posted on X about Trump’s visit, but did not mention each other.
“Thank you [President Trump] and [first lady Melania Trump] for coming to Texas,” Cornyn wrote. “Your heartfelt commitment to the Lone Star State’s rescue and recovery efforts, to the victims, and to those still missing is deeply appreciated. We will keep searching for those unaccounted for & praying for all who have lost loved ones.”
Ken Paxton sounded a similar note.
“Today, I joined President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and federal, state, and local officials for a roundtable in Kerr County following the deadly flooding that has devastated so many of our communities,” he wrote.
“I’d like to thank President Trump for his strong leadership and swift action to support Texans throughout this crisis, which has undoubtedly saved lives,” Paxton continued. “Our prayers continue to be with the families impacted by this tragedy and everyone on the ground who has continually worked around the clock to respond to this catastrophic natural disaster.”
Trump promises to rebuild, lashes out at ‘evil’ reporter during Texas visit
The Texas GOP primary will be held March 3, 2026.
On the Democratic side, former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred has launched a bid, though winning the race will be difficult in a state that Trump won by 14 points last year. Allred lost a Senate bid to Cruz in the same election.
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