The president has thrown his hat in with the scandal-plagued Texan, who may be more vulnerable in November's general election

After months dangling the carrot, Donald Trump has finally endorsed a candidate in next week’s runoff for the Texas Republican Senate nomination. 

The president has thrown his support to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, bucking four-term incumbent Senator John Cornyn and instead tipping the scales in favor of a far-right attack dog that — much like himself — has overcome a myriad of political and personal scandals — mostly by bluster and apparent shamelessness.

“Ken Paxton has gone through a lot, in many cases, very unfairly, but he is a Fighter, and knows how to WIN. Our Country needs Fighters, and also Loyalty to the Cause of Greatness,” Trump wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post explaining his decision. “WE HAVE ALREADY MADE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, BUT NOW, WE WANT TO MAKE OUR NATION BETTER THAN EVER BEFORE. Therefore, Ken Paxton has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from the Great State of Texas – KEN PAXTON WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” 

The president included some conciliatory words for Cornyn, calling him a “good man,” but accusing him of not being “supportive of me when times were tough.” By contrast, Trump extolled Paxton as having been “extremely loyal to me and our AMAZING MAGA MOVEMENT.” 

The runoff is set to take place on Tuesday, May 26. Cornyn narrowly edged out Paxton in the states primary, which took place in March. Trump initially floated endorsing his favored candidate, and having the other drop out in order to focus on the general race against Democratic candidate James Talarico, but held off for two more months. 

Polling ahead of the runoff indicates a tight race between the two Republicans, with Paxton holding a slight edge over the incumbent senator. The bigger test will come in November, when the winner will face off against Talarico amid the backdrop of an unpopular president. While Trump selected Paxton for his loyalty to the MAGA movement, it’s actually Cornyn who polls better against Talarico in surveys of November’s vote. 

In primary elections across the country, Trump is attempting to remind his party that he is still in command, and that dissent will be met with electoral retribution. So far Trump’s power over Republican voters remains unmatched and he has punished politicians who have dared to slip out of lockstep with the White House’s extreme agenda. But as much as Trump can impose his will on Republican primaries, general election voters get to have the final say on Election Day.