GOP Rising Star Backs Paxton’s Senate Bid

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Texas Senate primary bid just received a big endorsement from one of the Republican Party’s rising stars.

On Thursday, Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, officially endorsed Paxton’s effort to primary Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.

“I am officially endorsing [Ken Paxton] to be our next senator from Texas,” Gill wrote on X. “The Senate needs serious change—people who understand what time it is and what is at stake for our country.”

In a reply to Gill’s X post, Paxton celebrated Gill’s endorsement. The Texas attorney general said he is “honored to be endorsed by one of the most fearless and effective fighters in all of Congress.”

“Brandon Gill is an absolute champion for the conservative movement and the American people. I’m proud to have his support,” Paxton continued.

Paxton and Cornyn are heading to a runoff election for the GOP nomination on May 26 after both fell short of the 50% threshold in March. The third major candidate, Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, was eliminated from the running.

Cornyn, who was first elected to the Senate in 2002, is facing a primary challenge from his right flank in Paxton because critics claim the Texas incumbent has previously pushed for firearm regulations and increases to the debt ceiling.

Heritage Action, a conservative grassroots 501(c)(4) organization, has awarded Cornyn a 64% lifetime score.

Paxton appears to have a slight edge in the polls. A recent 270 to Win examination of five trusted polls shows Paxton leading Cornyn by more than 5%. Most polls, however, have the two candidates locked in a tight race and within the margin of error.

President Donald Trump has yet to endorse in the race. However, in March, he hinted on Truth Social that he would soon weigh in.

“I cannot, for the good of the Party, and our Country, itself, be allowed to go on any longer,” the president wrote.

He later added that he “will be making [his] Endorsement soon, and will be asking the candidate that [he doesn’t] Endorse to immediately DROP OUT OF THE RACE!”

Recent reports suggest, however, that Trump ultimately may not endorse in the Texas runoff.

Cornyn was not immediately available for comment.