{"id":2581241,"date":"2026-03-18T09:35:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T13:35:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/neither-cornyn-nor-paxton-drop-out-before-runoff-deadline-for-texas-senate\/"},"modified":"2026-03-18T09:35:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T13:35:55","slug":"neither-cornyn-nor-paxton-drop-out-before-runoff-deadline-for-texas-senate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/neither-cornyn-nor-paxton-drop-out-before-runoff-deadline-for-texas-senate\/","title":{"rendered":"Neither Cornyn nor Paxton drop out before runoff deadline for Texas Senate"},"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%2Fneither-cornyn-nor-paxton-drop-out-before-runoff-deadline-for-texas-senate%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=2581241&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>Two Texas Republicans, Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton, remained in the race as the 5 p.m. <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >withdrawal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/is-kevin-faulconer-californias-next-scrawny-schwarzenegger\/\" title=\"Is Kevin Faulconer California\u2019s Next (Scrawny) Schwarzenegger?\">deadline passed<\/a><\/a>,setting up a May 26 runoff after neither won an outright majority in the GOP primary. Cornyn finished slightly ahead of Paxton, but both advance to the runoff.<\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump has signaled he will endorse someone in the race but has not yet made a choice. Paxton has sought to win favor by backing the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration and has stalled in the Senate due to the filibuster; Cornyn voted to open debate on the bill, while Democrats oppose it. Paxton has even urged scrapping the filibuster in exchange for his withdrawal, but there has been little progress.<\/p>\n<p>The runoff winner will face Democrat James Talarico in 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 Seats in House, Picked Up State Legislatures, Picked Up Governorship, Held the ...ate -- But Sniffy Joe ...?... NOT A CHANCE\">general election<\/a>, after Talarico defeated Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary.  <\/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\">Neither John Cornyn nor Ken Paxton drop out before runoff deadline for Texas Senate<\/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_2525044\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Neither 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) nor 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> dropped out of the competitive <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a> race on Tuesday before the 5 p.m. deadline passed.<\/p>\n<p>Both GOP primary candidates are set to face off next in the May 26 runoff election. In the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/investigators-in-georgia-ballot-harvesting-probe-zero-in-on-funding-eyewitness-whistleblower\/\" title=\"Investigators in Georgia Ballot Harvesting Probe Zero in on Funding, Eyewitness Whistleblower\">primary election earlier<\/a> this month, Cornyn <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/us\/elections\/results-texas-us-senate-primary.html\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/us\/elections\/results-texas-us-senate-primary.html\">performed slightly better<\/a> than Paxton. But because neither candidate won an outright majority of votes, a runoff was triggered.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4495220\/daniel-biss-wins-illinois-democratic-primary-replace-schakowsky\/\">Daniel Biss defeats Kat Abughazaleh in Democratic primary to replace Jan Schakowsky<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4495209\/nebraska-senate-democrat-candidate-ballot\/\">Nebraska secretary of state kicks Democrat off Senate ballot, claims she had no plans to serve<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4495158\/juliana-stratton-wins-democratic-primary-illinois-senate\/\">Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton wins Democratic nod for Senate in upset over Krishnamoorthi&#8217;s big spending<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>One day after the March 3 primary, President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> indicated he would make an endorsement in the race &ldquo;soon&rdquo; without specifying who had his support. Initial reports suggested Trump was leaning toward Cornyn, but Paxton has since tried to curry favor with the president by supporting a streamlined passage of the SAVE America Act.<\/p>\n<p>The legislation, which would require proof of citizenship and identification for voter registration, has been stalled in the Senate for weeks because at least 60 votes are needed for it to pass.<\/p>\n<p>Paxton has called on the Republican-controlled upper chamber to scrap the filibuster in order to enact the measure. In exchange, he pledged to drop out. Little progress on the bill has been made.<\/p>\n<p>The SAVE America Act is currently <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4494576\/senate-republicans-kick-off-debate-save-america-act\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4494576\/senate-republicans-kick-off-debate-save-america-act\/\">up for debate<\/a> on the Senate floor this week. Cornyn was one of 51 Republicans to vote in favor of opening debate on the bill Tuesday afternoon. Senate Democrats are uniformly opposed to the legislation.<\/p>\n<p>Trump says his endorsement is tied to the SAVE America Act. Over two weeks after the tight primary, he has not issued his endorsement.<\/p>\n<p>In a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/donald-trump\/trump-cornyn-paxton-endorsement-texas-senate-race-rcna263483\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/donald-trump\/trump-cornyn-paxton-endorsement-texas-senate-race-rcna263483\">recent interview<\/a> with NBC News, Trump said he &ldquo;always liked&rdquo; Cornyn but remains unsure whether the incumbent is the Republican Party&rsquo;s best chance to hold the contested Senate seat. The president intends to make his endorsement in the coming days.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4495007\/save-america-act-showdown-relished-gop-democrats\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4495007\/save-america-act-showdown-relished-gop-democrats\/\">SAVE AMERICA ACT SHOWDOWN RELISHED BY GOP AND DEMOCRATS ALIKE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll let you know that over the next week or so,&rdquo; Trump said Saturday when asked if he&rsquo;s planning to endorse Cornyn. &ldquo;I like him. I always liked him.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Whoever ends up winning the runoff election in two months will advance to the general election to face Texas state Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/james-talarico\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"17710\">James Talarico<\/a>, who defeated 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) in the Democratic primary.<\/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>Cornyn, Paxton in Texas Senate May 26 runoff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2581242,"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_68af7d.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[22362,18466,76061,74278,73437],"class_list":["post-2581241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-cornyn","tag-paxton","tag-runoff-election-2","tag-texas-politics-2","tag-texas-senate-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26063514703870_68af7d.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581241","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\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2581241"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2581245,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581241\/revisions\/2581245"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2581242"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2581241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2581241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2581241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}