The 2026 Republican primary for one of Texas’ U.S. Senate seats is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched contests of the cycle, featuring incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt.
With early voting beginning and the March 3 primary approaching, President Donald Trump has not yet selected a preferred candidate. Instead, he has publicly stated that he supports all three contenders, a position that has added another layer of intrigue to an already competitive race.
Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday, Trump addressed the question of why he has not endorsed Cornyn or any other candidate in the primary.
“I just haven’t made a decision on the race yet,” he said.
“It’s got a ways to go,” he added, noting the proximity to early voting and the potential for a runoff election scheduled for May 26 if no candidate receives a majority of the vote.
The Republican primary field represents a range of political profiles within the party. Cornyn, a long-serving senator, is seeking reelection and has institutional backing from key party organizations. Paxton, who has served as attorney general since 2015, has built a strong base among grassroots conservatives. Hunt, currently representing Texas’ 38th Congressional District, has positioned himself as a newer voice aligned with many of Trump’s policy priorities.
Polling conducted by the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston suggests a competitive race. According to recent data, Paxton leads with 38 percent support among likely Republican voters, followed by Cornyn at 31 percent and Hunt at 17 percent. Another 12 percent of respondents remain undecided, leaving room for shifts as the primary draws nearer.
Trump acknowledged the difficulty of choosing among the candidates.
“John is a good man — I like all three of them, actually,” he said.
“Those are the toughest races. They’ve all supported me, they’re all good — and you’re supposed to pick one.”
The president’s decision to withhold an endorsement — at least for now — comes amid ongoing speculation about whether he would intervene in the race at all. Candidates have appeared to actively seek his support, emphasizing their alignment with his policies and record in campaign messaging.
While Trump has not yet taken sides, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has made its preference clear. The committee continues to support Cornyn’s reelection bid and has reportedly focused its efforts on contrasting his record with those of his primary opponents.
According to internal communications and campaign activity, the NRSC views supporting Cornyn early as a strategic investment. The organization has indicated that ensuring his success in the primary could avoid what it considers a potentially more costly general election scenario — particularly if Paxton were to secure the nomination and face a well-funded Democratic challenger.
As part of its involvement, the NRSC has released video content targeting both Paxton and Hunt. One recent effort criticized Hunt’s absences from congressional votes while campaigning in Texas.
On the Democratic side, the race is also taking shape. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico have entered the contest, setting the stage for a potentially competitive general election regardless of the Republican nominee.
The presence of multiple high-profile candidates in both parties underscores the significance of the seat. Texas remains a key political battleground, and national party organizations are likely to monitor developments closely in the months ahead.
For now, Trump’s neutral stance continues to leave the Republican field without a clear signal from one of the party’s most influential figures. His remarks suggested that he may ultimately decide — or may not.
“So we’ll see what happens, but I support all three,” Trump concluded.
With early voting underway and the possibility of a runoff looming, the outcome of the Republican primary remains uncertain. As campaigns intensify their outreach to voters in the coming weeks, the race is expected to remain fluid — particularly if undecided voters begin to coalesce around one of the leading contenders.
The March 3 primary will offer the first major test of support, but if no candidate secures a majority, the contest could extend into late May. Until then, attention is likely to remain fixed not only on the candidates themselves but also on whether Trump ultimately decides to weigh in with a formal endorsement.
