John Thune endorsed Ken Paxton for the Texas Senate after winning the GOP primary
The strength of Trump's endorsement was highlighted after the Texas GOP primary
Fox News contributors Kaylee McGhee White and Meghan Hays analyze President Donald Trump's key strengths after Ken Paxton's victory over John Cornyn in the Texas GOP primary. They discuss the strong message sent by Republican voters against entrenched politicians and the potential impact of economic concerns in the upcoming general election, where Paxton faces far-left Democrat Talarico. The segment highlights the swing of voters in Texas.
NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has added another endorsement to his growing field of supporters in the Senate GOP: Senate Majority Leader John Thune, RS.D.
Thune announced his support for Paxton on Hugh Hewitt's show Wednesday afternoon, less than a day after the deadly fight in the Lone Star State. And a prime target now is Texas state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic nominee awaiting Paxton in November.
“The voters, the Republican voters in Texas spoke last night,” Thune said. “Ken Paxton is their nominee heading into November, and we have to look and come together to make sure that we keep Texas red, that he wins, and that we keep far-left liberties in the U.S. Senate.”
MAGA TRIUMPH: TRUMP ALLY KEN PAXTON DEFEAT JOHN CORNYN IN BITTER TEXAS GOP PRIMARY WAR
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, RS.D., leaves a Senate Republican luncheon at the US Capitol on March 3, 2026, saying Democrats wanted to keep DHS closed because it was “politically beneficial.” (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“And obviously that seat will be the key for many of us, which will determine the future of this country,” he continued.
Paxton was not Thune or the majority of the first Senate Republican decision, however.
A majority of the Senate GOP supported longtime Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in an all-out battle to elect Texas' Republican nominee for the Senate. And many were shocked when President Donald Trump chose to endorse Paxton at the last minute, one week after Tuesday night's election.
PAXTON MAKES TEXAS REWARDS AS BITTER CORNYN RUNOFF HITS FIVER PITCH
Republicans fear that if Paxton comes out on top, he may favor the Democrats, who have not sent a representative to the upper chamber since 1988.
But facing Talarico, who easily defeated his main opponent, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, prioritized preserving the GOP's majority in the Senate rather than electing a Republican candidate.
“We have to do everything we can as a team, to make sure we win this race,” said Thune. “Because, you know, losing is not an option when it comes to the state of Texas, and what it means to most of us in the Senate.”
Thune isn't the first Senate Republican to support Paxton, either.
'OPEN BORDERS TRUMP-HATING RADICAL': GOP UNLEASHES PRIMARY BLITZ ON TEXAS DEMOCRAT TALARICO
Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, President Donald Trump, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are pictured together. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg)
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, jumped in front of the crowd Tuesday night shortly after the race was called and urged the GOP to come together to beat Talarico, who he accused of being a “far-out intellectual who supports open borders, trans ideology, and even called the American flag a 'complicated symbol.'
“I am proud to support you [Paxton],” Moreno told X. “The voters have spoken, now Republicans must come together and win.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
And the number two Republican in the Senate, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., quickly followed.
“James Talarico is a left-wing extremist,” Barrasso told X. “He's a rubber stamp for open borders, outlaws, and men playing women's sports. Talarico is the toughest in Texas.”
