{"id":2576503,"date":"2026-03-05T14:34:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T19:34:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ken-paxton-offers-to-drop-texas-senate-bid-if-save-act-passes\/"},"modified":"2026-03-05T14:36:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T19:36:06","slug":"ken-paxton-offers-to-drop-texas-senate-bid-if-save-act-passes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ken-paxton-offers-to-drop-texas-senate-bid-if-save-act-passes\/","title":{"rendered":"Ken Paxton offers to drop Texas Senate bid if SAVE Act passes"},"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\">24<\/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%2Fken-paxton-offers-to-drop-texas-senate-bid-if-save-act-passes%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=2576503&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>Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who finished second too Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP primary, says he would consider dropping his challenge if Senate leadership lifts the filibuster and passes the SAVE America Act, a move he frames as essential to advancing President Trump\u2019s agenda. The act, led by Rep. Chip Roy, would require proof of citizenship and voter ID to register to vote and is a revised version of the SAVE Act that has stalled in the Senate due to the 60-vote filibuster.Cornyn supports the bill in principle but remains reluctant to abolish the filibuster, while Paxton accuses him of cowardice on the issue. Advocates are pushing for a \u201ctalking filibuster\u201d tactic to move the legislation forward. The runoff between Cornyn and Paxton is set for May 26,with the winner facing Democrat James Talarico in the general election,and Trump has hinted at an endorsement \u201csoon.\u201d  <\/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\">Paxton offers to drop primary challenge to Cornyn if Senate passes SAVE Act<\/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>Texas Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ken-paxton\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4370\">Ken Paxton<\/a> is offering to consider dropping his primary challenge to Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-cornyn\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"965\">John Cornyn<\/a> (R-TX) if the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a> GOP leadership skirts the filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act. <\/p>\n<p>Paxton, who narrowly placed second to Cornyn in Tuesday&rsquo;s GOP primary, said he was a loyalist to President Donald Trump and would do anything possible to pass the White House&rsquo;s agenda. <\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4481189\/democrats-sober-talarico-nomination-texas\/\">Democrats cautious after Talarico nomination in red Texas: &lsquo;Everything has to go right&rsquo;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4481281\/steve-daines-drops-reelection-bid-two-terms-senate\/\">Steve Daines announces shock retirement minutes before Senate filing deadline<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4480750\/gop-trump-cornyn-president-teases-decision\/\">GOP begs Trump to endorse Cornyn as <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >president teases decision &#038;lsquo<\/a>;soon&rsquo;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;The Save America Act is the most important bill the U.S. Senate could ever pass, and I&rsquo;m committed to helping President Trump get it done,&rdquo; Paxton wrote in a statement on X. &ldquo;I would consider dropping out of this race if Senate Leadership agrees to lift the filibuster and passes the SAVE America Act.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4481654\/who-are-the-kurds-group-rumored-joining-us-war-iran\/\"><strong>WHO ARE THE KURDS, THE GROUP RUMORED TO BE JOINING THE US WAR IN IRAN?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Spearheaded by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), the SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship and voter ID to register to vote. The legislation is an edited version of the SAVE Act, which has passed the House twice but has been stalled in the Senate chamber as it has been unable to pass the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/joe-manchin-considering-proposal-to-lower-60-vote-filibuster-threshold\/\" title=\"Joe Manchin Considering Proposal To Lower ... Threshold\">60-vote filibuster threshold<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;For the good of our country and for the good of passing President Trump&rsquo;s agenda, I am determined to help him get this done,&rdquo; said Paxton. <\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-ag-barr-authorizes-federal-prosecutors-to-pursue-substantial-allegations-of-voting-irregularities-before-2020-election-is-certified\/\" title=\"BREAKING: AG Barr Authorizes Federal Prosecutors to Pursue &quot;Substantial Allegations&quot; of Voting Irregularities Before 2020 Election is Certified\">attorney general<\/a> also accused Cornyn of being a &ldquo;coward who has refused to support abolishing the filibuster to pass this bill.&rdquo; Cornyn supports the SAVE America Act, but has expressed discomfort with weakening the filibuster. <\/p>\n<p>Proponents of the SAVE America Act are pushing for the Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to adopt a talking filibuster to get the legislation across the finish line. The standard Senate filibuster only requires a lawmaker to express opposition to a bill before 60 votes are required to advance the legislation.<\/p>\n<p>A talking filibuster, in comparison, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-gop-sends-warning-to-save-act-agitators-dont-tell-us-what-to-do\/\" title=\"... GOP sends warning to ... agitators: Don\u2019t tell us what to do\">requires lawmakers opposing<\/a> a bill to speak on the Senate floor for as long as possible. Once all lawmakers yield and amendments are voted on, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/an-unconstitutional-invasion-republican-senators-to-challenge-biden-vaccine-mandate-report\/\" title=\"\u2018An Unconstitutional Invasion\u2019: ...ublican Senators To ... Biden Vaccine Mandate: ...ort\">simple-majority vote<\/a> is needed to advance legislation.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4477066\/2028-presidential-election-hopefuls-slam-trump-iran-strikes\/\"><strong>2028 PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS SLAM TRUMP OVER IRAN STRIKES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cornyn and Paxton have been locked in a bitter primary race, and are set to faceoff again in a runoff election on May 26 after neither candidate reached the 50% majority vote needed to secure the GOP nomination in the March 3 primary election.&nbsp;Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) , who received the third most votes, was eliminated from the race.<\/p>\n<p>Trump, who previously refused to endorse anyone in the race, said in a Truth Social post on Wednesday that he would be making an endorsement &ldquo;soon.&rdquo;<\/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\/news\/house\/4481924\/house-gop-leadership-calls-on-scandal-ridden-tony-gonzales-suspend-re-election\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4481924\/house-gop-leadership-calls-on-scandal-ridden-tony-gonzales-suspend-re-election\/\"><strong>HOUSE GOP LEADERSHIP CALLS ON SCANDAL-RIDDEN TONY GONZALES SUSPEND REELECTION BID<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The runoff race between Cornyn, who is the favored candidate by GOP leadership, and Paxton is expected to be costly. It could hamstring the party in the general election, where the winner would face Democratic candidate, state Rep. James Talarico.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The truth is clear: No one has been more loyal to Donald Trump than me&mdash;fighting the stolen 2020 election, being in Mar-a-Lago when he announced his 2024 campaign, and standing with him in NY in the face of lawfare,&rdquo; Paxton said. &ldquo;For the good of our country and for the good of passing President Trump&rsquo;s agenda, I am determined to help him get this done.&rdquo;<\/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>Paxton says he may drop GOP primary if SAVE Act passes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2912,"featured_media":2576504,"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\/2025\/03\/Ken-Paxton.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[6571,38244,34333,44928],"class_list":["post-2576503","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-elections","tag-ken-paxton","tag-save-act","tag-texas-senate"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Ken-Paxton.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2576503","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\/2912"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2576503"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2576503\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2576507,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2576503\/revisions\/2576507"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2576504"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2576503"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2576503"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2576503"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}