{"id":2576123,"date":"2026-03-04T16:15:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T21:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-begs-trump-to-endorse-cornyn-as-president-teases-decision\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T16:17:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T21:17:22","slug":"gop-begs-trump-to-endorse-cornyn-as-president-teases-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-begs-trump-to-endorse-cornyn-as-president-teases-decision\/","title":{"rendered":"GOP begs Trump to endorse Cornyn as president teases decision"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgop-begs-trump-to-endorse-cornyn-as-president-teases-decision%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2576123&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Republican leaders in Texas are urging President Trump to endorse Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP primary runoff against Ken Paxton, fearing that Cornyn\u2019s defeat coudl jeopardize the seat against Democrat James Talarico. Thay argue that an early Trump endorsement woudl save money and time by uniting the party and focusing resources on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/impossible-gop-picked-up-seats-in-house-picked-up-state-legislatures-picked-up-governorship-held-the-senate-but-sniffy-joe-won-not-a-chance\/\" title=\"IMPOSSIBLE: GOP Picked Up ...s in House, Picked Up ... Legislatures, Picked Up Governorship, Held the ...ate -- But Sniffy Joe Won?... NOT A CHANCE\">general election<\/a>. Trump has teased a forthcoming endorsement while backing away from a firm commitment, and he has called for candidates who don\u2019t receive his backing to drop out.<\/p>\n<p>The Texas Senate race has become one of the most expensive in state history, with about $70 million in ads supporting Cornyn. No candidate exceeded 50% in the initial primary, setting up a costly May 26 runoff between Cornyn and Paxton, with Wesley Hunt also involved and viewed by some allies as a potential spoiler. Trumpworld figures\u2014such as pollster Tony Fabrizio and adviser Chris LaCivita\u2014are backing Cornyn, while some allies accuse Hunt of splitting the vote. The outcome is seen as crucial for maintaining the Republicans\u2019 53-47 Senate majority.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">GOP begs Trump to endorse Cornyn as president teases decision &lsquo;soon&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2522671\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Senate Republicans are renewing pleas for President Donald Trump to endorse Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-cornyn\/\">John Cornyn<\/a> (R-TX) in his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4479256\/texas-gop-senate-primary-cornyn-paxton-hunt\/\">primary runoff<\/a> following Tuesday&rsquo;s elections, fearing the nomination of Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ken-paxton\/\">Ken Paxton<\/a> (R-TX) would throw the Texas Senate seat into jeopardy against Democratic nominee <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/james-talarico\/\">James Talarico<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), who&rsquo;s long lobbied Trump privately and publicly to throw his support behind Cornyn, said if the president &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rapid-reactions-hunters-not-done-yet-trump-pivots-to-early-voting-hollywood-goes-populist\/\" title=\"Quick Takes: ...er&#039;s Persistence, ... Shifts Focus to Early Voting, Hollywood Embraces Populism\">endorses early<\/a>, it saves everybody a lot of money&rdquo; and more than two months of extra primary campaigning, &ldquo;that keeps us from spending time focusing on the Democrats.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4480545\/gop-rushes-define-talarico-cornyn-paxton-overtime-trump\/\">GOP rushes to define Talarico as Cornyn-Paxton race goes into overtime: &lsquo;Trump-hating radical&rsquo;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4480536\/trump-teases-texas-senate-endorsement-reports-john-cornyn\/\">Trump teases Texas Senate endorsement moments after report says he&#8217;s picking John Cornyn<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4480277\/kamala-harris-offers-james-talarico-full-support-texas-primary\/\">Harris offers James Talarico &#8216;full support&#8217; after backing the wrong horse in Texas primary<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;If the president can weigh in, it would be enormously helpful,&rdquo; Thune added, conceding that Talarico, a state representative, presents a greater challenge for Republicans to hold onto the Lone Star State than would have primary rival Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jasmine-crockett\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"9855\">Jasmine Crockett<\/a> (D-TX).<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4477736\/trump-avoid-forever-war-iran\/\"><strong>W. JAMES ANTLE: OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS: HOW TRUMP CAN AVOID &lsquo;FOREVER WAR&rsquo; IN IRAN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Describing Cornyn as a &ldquo;strong conservative&rdquo; and advocating for Trump&rsquo;s endorsement, Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) pitched the fourth-term senator as vital to defeating Talarico.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The turnout was greater for Democrats than for Republicans&hellip; which shows that the energy and enthusiasm is there on the Democrat side,&rdquo; Barrasso said. &ldquo;We need to nominate somebody who attracts voters all across the state of Texas, and that&rsquo;s John Cornyn.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>GOP senators may soon get their wish. <\/p>\n<p>Trump teased Wednesday in a Truth Social post he would be &ldquo;making my Endorsement soon&rdquo; in a race he&rsquo;s so far remained neutral. <\/p>\n<p>Keeping the seat Republican is seen as crucial for the party&rsquo;s 53-47 Senate majority. No candidate secured at least 50% of the vote in Tuesday&rsquo;s primary between Cornyn, Paxton, and Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX). Cornyn and Paxton will face off in a costly May 26 runoff that could drain Republican resources that the party wants to spend in races elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;IT MUST STOP NOW! We have an easy to beat, Radical Left Opponent, and we have to TOTALLY FOCUS on putting him away, quickly and decisively!&rdquo; Trump posted. &ldquo;I will be making my Endorsement soon, and will be asking the candidate that I don&rsquo;t Endorse to immediately DROP OUT OF THE RACE! Is that fair? We must win in November!!!&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/4479838\/lindsey-graham-sold-iran-operation-trump-legacy-making-berlin-wall-stuff\/\"><strong>LINDSEY GRAHAM SOLD IRAN OPERATION TO TRUMP BY APPEALING TO HIS LEGACY: &lsquo;THAT&rsquo;S BERLIN WALL STUFF&rsquo;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Even before the runoff, the Texas Senate race was one of the most expensive in state history, with nearly <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/adimpact.com\/blogs\/tx-senate-ad-analysis-the-most-expensive-senate-primary-on-record?utm_content=371453467&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;hss_channel=tw-752608758476468224\">$70 million<\/a> in ads supporting Cornyn. The Senate GOP&rsquo;s campaign arm, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), has been behind their incumbent from the start.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), the former NRSC chairman for the 2024 elections, said Cornyn presents a &ldquo;sure path&rdquo; to victory. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FILE &ndash; This photo combination shows Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, left, in Dallas and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in Austin, Texas, both on March 3, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez, Jack Myer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s time for all to get behind John Cornyn,&rdquo; Sen. John Curtis (R-UT) said. &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s now go spend our money someplace else.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4479446\/us-war-iran-military-numbers\/\"><strong>THE US CONFLICT IN IRAN BY THE NUMBERS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cornyn also has several Trumpworld heavyweights in his corner, such as former Trump campaign pollster Tony Fabrizio running his polling and former Trump political adviser Chris LaCivita at the helm of a pro-Cornyn super PAC.<\/p>\n<p>But one aspect potentially working against Cornyn&rsquo;s ability to win over supporters of Hunt in the runoff is allies accusing Hunt of running a spoiler campaign as Paxton openly courts those who voted for the congressman&rsquo;s long-shot Senate bid.<\/p>\n<p>The Thune-aligned Senate Leadership Fund super PAC assailed Hunt for running a &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >career-ending vanity tour<\/a> without any substance or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrat-abstentions-temporarily-block-reappointment-of-wisconsin-elections-chief\/\" title=\"Wisconsin Elections Chief&#039;s Reappointment Delayed by Democrat Abstentions.\">political reasoning<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4479256\/texas-gop-senate-primary-cornyn-paxton-hunt\/\">JOHN CORNYN TO FACE KEN PAXTON IN COSTLY TEXAS SENATE RUNOFF<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In contrast, Paxton used part of his election night speech to &ldquo;thank Wesley Hunt for being in this race.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Wesley served our country honorably in uniform, and I have no doubt he ran because he loves Texas and he wanted to continue serving our state,&rdquo; he added.<\/p>\n<p><em>David Sivak contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GOP urges Trump to back Cornyn; endorsement soon<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2576124,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26063514703870.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[22362,13348,6203,3669,3634],"class_list":["post-2576123","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-cornyn","tag-endorsement","tag-gop","tag-president","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26063514703870.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2576123","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2576123"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2576123\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2576127,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2576123\/revisions\/2576127"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2576124"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2576123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2576123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2576123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}