No Trump Endorsement for Cornyn or Paxton in Texas Senate Race as Deadline Passes

President Trump declined to endorse either John Cornyn or Ken Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate primary before the filing deadline, leaving both candidates to advance to a May runoff. Cornyn, the incumbent U.S. Senator, and Paxton, the state's Attorney General, have waged an increasingly contentious campaign marked by personal attacks. Trump's silence denies either candidate a potentially decisive boost from the sitting president in a deep-red state where his endorsement carries substantial weight. Both men will now compete in an expensive second round of campaigning without clarity on Trump's preference, prolonging what has become one of the party's most acrimonious internal contests. The race reflects broader tensions within Texas Republicans over establishment backing versus Trump-aligned candidates.