Early voting is now underway in Texas, and the most influential figure in Republican politics has yet to tip the scales in the states high-stakes GOP Senate primary.
According to RedState, President Donald Trump has so far declined to endorse any of the three major contendersSen. John Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Rep. Wesley Hunt (TX-38)even as Texans begin casting ballots. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday night, Trump underscored that he has not made up his mind in the closely watched race. I just havent made a decision on that race yet. Its got a ways to go, Trump told reporters, adding pointedly, I like all three of them, actually.
That hesitation carries real weight in a state where Trump remains the dominant force within the Republican electorate and where his backing has historically functioned as a de facto primary clincher. In deep-red states, a Trump endorsement can consolidate donors, rally grassroots activists, and effectively end a contest before it truly begins. His refusal, at least for now, to choose between Cornyn, Paxton, and Hunt keeps the contest wide open and prevents any one candidate from claiming the mantle of MAGA standard-bearer. Rather than softening his stance, Trump doubled down on his neutrality.
Theyve all supported me, theyre all good and youre supposed to pick one. So well see what happens, but I support all three. That posture may be politically convenient for Trump, but it leaves Texas Republicans without the clear signal many have come to expect from the President.
Texas is the first primary of the 2026 cycle, effectively launching the midterm season and setting the tone for GOP contests nationwide. Campaigns have spent months building organizations and raising money, but early voting means a significant share of the electorate will lock in choices before the race fully matures.
The broader political context only heightens the stakes for conservatives. Texas has undergone mid-decade redistricting backed by Trump, reshaping congressional lines and further entrenching Republican advantages in multiple districts. The Senate primary, therefore, is not just a local skirmish but a contest with national implications for the balance of power and the future direction of the GOP. Early voting begins Tuesday for Texass 2026 primary elections, with particular focus on the Senate race for the seat held by longtime incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX). That means Republican voters are now making binding decisions without guidance from the partys most powerful figure.
The race itself remains fluid and fiercely contested. Cornyn is seeking an unprecedented fifth term, leaning on seniority and institutional experience that some grassroots conservatives increasingly view with skepticism. Paxton, a favorite of many on the right, has positioned himself as the sharper-edged conservative alternative, more willing to confront the left and the federal bureaucracy. Hunt, meanwhile, offers a generational contrast and a forward-looking message aimed at keeping Texas firmly in Republican hands for years to come. Current polling shows Paxton leading Cornyn, 37 percent to 27 percent, with 22 percent of voters still undecided.
With three candidates dividing the vote and a substantial undecided bloc, a runoff is a very real possibility if no contender surpasses the 50 percent threshold. That dynamic makes the timing of any Trump endorsement even more critical. A nod from Trump before a potential runoff could instantly reorder the race and effectively determine the nominee. By contrast, an endorsement that arrives after large numbers of early votes are cast may carry less practical impact, even if it remains symbolically powerful.
Inside the party, concern is mounting over how this drama will play out. Republican leaders have been frustrated by Trumps decision not to explicitly back Cornyn over his challengers, viewing the incumbent as the safer bet to hold the seat in November. They see the lack of a clear signal as an unnecessary gamble that could transform a reliably Republican seat into a more competitive contest.
That frustration reflects a broader fear that a bruising, expensive three-way primary could sap resources and deepen intraparty divisions before the general election fight against Democrats even begins.
The calendar only intensifies those worries. The primary election is scheduled for March 3, but early voting has already begun, locking in choices while the partys most influential voice remains officially neutral. For now, the situation is stark: early voting is underway, the field is fractured, party leaders are pressing for clarity, and Trump is staying on the sidelines.
Neutrality, in a race this competitive, is not truly neutral, and whether Trump continues to hold back or ultimately steps in will shape not only who emerges as the nominee, but also how unifiedand how preparedTexas Republicans are when November arrives.
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