The influence of former President Donald Trump’s endorsement looms large in a high-stakes US Senate race, as Republicans continue to spend heavily to determine their nominee in Texas.

Following the primary election earlier this month, Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn faces a direct showdown with Ken Paxton, the state’s Attorney General who has been embroiled in scandals.

Cornyn’s campaign poured an astonishing $69 million into the race, dwarfing the $5 million spent by Paxton’s team. This financial disparity highlights that Cornyn’s substantial war chest hasn’t been a decisive advantage in securing primary victory.

Moreover, Cornyn has benefited from significant additional contributions through super PACs.

Speculation that Trump might endorse Cornyn in the runoff appears to have backfired, as the MAGA faction has reacted strongly. According to Axios, prominent pro-Trump figures like Laura Loomer, Mike Cernovich, and Jack Posobiec have rallied behind Paxton to gain favor with the online MAGA community.

In a conversation with NBC News on Saturday, Trump expressed his personal fondness for Cornyn, stating, “I like him. I always liked him,” when questioned about a potential endorsement.

Washington insiders are pulling for Trump to back Cornyn, as top voices both in the Lone Star State’s grassroots circles as well as online are rooting for Paxton.

Hours after the primary concluded, Trump’s advisers hinted that they expected him to choose Cornyn, who already holds the seat, and slightly outperformed the MAGA favorite Paxton in primary, and a Cornyn campaign aide told the Daily Mail last week: ‘We will be the nominee.’

Texas Republican John Cornyn speaks to members of the media on primary night, March 3 2026 in Austin, Texas

President Donald Trump speaks at the White House in Washington, DC, on March 12, 2026

Texas Senate Candidate Ken Paxton speaks to supporters at a watch party on March 3, 2026 in Dallas, Texas

When asked if the White House confirmed that to the incumbent’s campaign, the aide responded, at the time ‘I didn’t say that. We are going to win the primary runoff. One way or the other.’

Republicans fear a three-month long runoff fight will hurt the eventual nominee, and Trump joining that chorus hours after the primary.

‘I will be making my Endorsement soon, and will be asking the candidate that I don’t Endorse to immediately DROP OUT OF THE RACE!’ the President announced last week. ‘Is that fair? We must win in November!!!’, he added.

At stake for Trump is whether he becomes a lame duck or the subject of impeachments and investigations, if Democrats take back control of Congress.

NBC additionally reported that Trump’s pick has to do a lot with ‘the SAVE America Act. A lot is going to determine — Republicans have to get that passed, because that will secure voting in this country.’

Paxton notably offered to entertain dropping out of his race under the condition that the SAVE Act, a voting security bill, was passed in Washington, DC.

‘I would consider dropping out of this race if Senate Leadership agrees to lift the filibuster and passes the SAVE America Act,’ Paxton offered in an X post earlier this month.

The Democrat primary resulted in a defined winner, as Texas State Representative  James Talarico defeated US Representative from Texas Jasmine Crockett.

Talarico, a 36-year-old state representative who gained traction through a savvy social media strategy, won by 52.4 percent to Crockett’s 46.2 percent.

Asked by NBC if electability in November was a factor in Trump’s endorsement in the GOP runoff, the President said, ‘No, I think they both win.’