Incumbent Senator John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have been locked in a heated primary battle for months. After it advanced to a runoff, President Trump hinted he would make an endorsement in the race, but that still hasn’t happened yet.
Many thought he might endorse Senator John Cornyn, and after online pushback from GOP grassroots activists, it seems many voters would rather the president just sit this race out entirely.
Political strategist Vlad Davidiuk said Trump not making a pick would “give both candidates a chance to really drive their message, and make their appeals to the electorate, and really earn those votes.”
On top of that, Davidiuk went as far as to warn that a Trump endorsement in the race could actually end up doing more harm than good. “It’s not to President Trump’s benefit, or the party’s benefit. There’s no upside. Having Trump endorse would help crystalize the opposition’s message.”
Democrats focusing their attacks on whatever candidate President Trump picks would be just one of many risks to an endorsement. Davidiuk also pointed out that if President Trump were to make an endorsement and the opposite candidate still won, it would hurt his credibility.
This late in the game, it’s looking like President Trump will indeed remain on the sidelines for this race. That could lend itself to AG Ken Paxton, who currently has a narrow 3% lead over Senator Cornyn, according to recent polling.