President Donald Trump is gearing up for this year’s Texas election by endorsing more than 130 candidates ahead of the state’s Republican primary in March.
While many won outright, others did not – and these candidates are now preparing to compete in the May runoffs, with early voting starting on Monday, May 18. Election Day is Tuesday, May 26, for both the Democratic and Republican primary runoffs.
As Election Day approaches, some high-profile races — such as the U.S. Senate race in Texas — lack the president’s support, while smaller contests lack his support.
Here’s a look at who the president has and hasn’t endorsed.
President Donald Trump leaves the White House for Corpus Christi, Texas, and speaks to the media on February 27, 2026 in Washington, DC, USA.
Is Trump endorsing Cornyn or Paxton for Texas Senate seat?
Trump has yet to endorse Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton or U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.
A recent poll showed Paxton leading Cornyn among Texas Republican voters, but not by much.
Were any Texas Republican candidates backed by Trump not elected?
Yes. Trump endorsed Republican candidate Leigh Wambsganss in the January special election for Texas’ 9th state Senate district.
While Trump won the district by 17 points in the 2024 presidential election, his candidate lost to Democratic candidate Taylor Rehmet.
According to USA Today, Trump tried to distance himself from the loss.
“I’m not on the ballot,” the president told reporters on February 1. “So, you don’t know if it’s transferable, but you get Democrats involved and you end up opening the border again.”
Trump also endorsed the re-election bid of state Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. However, Miller lost the March Republican primary to challenger Nate Sheets.
Who does Trump support in the May 2026 Texas Republican primary runoffs?
While some Republican candidates backed by Trump — such as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — secured the Republican nomination in the November election, others did not.
As a result, they will participate in the Republican primary runoffs, with early voting beginning on May 18.
Here are the candidates Trump supports and their campaigns:
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Alex Mellor is at Texas 9th Congressional District Runoff. The opponent is Texas Rep. Briscoe Cain.
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Carlos de la Cruz is Texas 35th Congressional District Runoff. The opponent is Texas Rep. John Lujan.
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Jon Bunker is at Texas 38th Congressional District Runoff. Opponent is Shirley DeZevallos.
Which Texas Republican primary runoff candidates did Trump not endorse?
Campaign signs for Texas U.S. House of Representatives District 19 candidates Tom Sell and Abraham Enriquez on Election Day, March 3, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas.
Trump stayed out of some Republican primary runoffs. Take a look at them below.
Texas Statewide Republican Runoffs
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Texas Attorney General — Meyers Middleton vs. Chip Roy.
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Texas Railroad Commissioner ——Beau French vs. Jim Wright.
U.S. House of Representatives Republican Runoffs
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Texas 7th Congressional District ——Tina Cohen vs. Alexander Hale.
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Texas 16th Congressional District — Manuel J. Barraza vs. Adam Bauman.
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Texas 19th Congressional District — Abraham Henriquez vs. Tom Sale.
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Texas 30th Congressional District — Shotton Daniels vs. Everett Jackson.
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Texas 33rd Congressional District — Patrick Gillespie vs. John Sims.
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Texas 37th Congressional District — Ge’Nell Gary vs. Lauren B. Peña.
Mateo Rosiles is a Texas Wire reporter for USA TODAY and its regional Texas newspapers. Got a news tip for him? Send him an email: mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared in USA TODAY: Trump endorsement ahead of Texas Republican primary runoffs
