The president also said he would call on whomever he does not endorse to drop out of the race — though he did not specify whether he would back Cornyn or Paxton.
Gabby Birenbaum
Gabby Birenbaum is the Washington Correspondent for the Texas Tribune. She covers the Texas congressional delegation and the impact of federal policy on Texas. Gabby previously covered Washington for The Nevada Independent, where she wrote the weekly D.C. Download newsletter and covered the 2024 presidential election and competitive Senate race. Prior to The Nevada Independent, Gabby worked at The Washington Monthly and Vox. Gabby graduated from Northwestern University, where she studied journalism and political science. She is a native of Arlington, Virginia and is based in Washington, DC. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, watching movies and being a long-suffering fan of DC sports teams. Her work is supported by a partnership with Report for America.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Rep. Tony Gonzales, forced into runoff, admits to affair with aide who died by suicide
“I’ve asked God to forgive me, which he has,” the San Antonio Republican told a conservative radio host the day after he was forced into a primary runoff.
Posted in
Politics
Multiple U.S. House members face setbacks in Texas primaries
U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, was defeated and four other incumbents — Democrats and Republicans — found themselves in close races or runoffs as votes were still being counted early Wednesday.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
John Cornyn, Ken Paxton advance to runoff to be Republican nominee for U.S. Senate
U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt came in third, missing the runoff which is May 26.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Polls close today in the Texas primaries. Here are five things to watch.
This Tuesday, Tribune reporters are watching two blockbuster Senate primaries, an open attorney general seat, and more high-stakes, competitive races up and down the Texas ballot.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Republican meddling roils Senate Democratic primary in final days
A super PAC supporting James Talarico is running ads online warning that the GOP is “boosting” Jasmine Crockett. Her spokesperson said Republicans “who underestimate her do so at their own peril.”
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2026 Texas Elections
Texas’ Republican Senate primary is a battle of conservative titans
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt are competing to be the Republican nominee come November, with stakes that will be felt across Texas and in Washington.
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2026 Texas Elections
Can Jasmine Crockett’s East Texas past give her an electoral boost in rural Texas?
Before she was a firebrand congresswoman, Jasmine Crockett was a public defender — and local Democratic party chair — in Texarkana.
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2026 Texas Elections
Jasmine Crockett leads James Talarico by double digits in Senate Democratic primary, poll finds
On the Republican side, Ken Paxton and John Cornyn were neck-and-neck and in position for a runoff, according to the poll from the University of Texas’ Texas Politics Project.
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2026 Texas Elections
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales says he won’t resign despite explicit texts with staffer
A growing number of House Republicans have called for Gonzales’ ouster — though he has yet to explicitly lose the support of any members who endorsed him.